Ethics commissioner looking into conduct of minister Kent Hehr after Tory complaint

Ethics commissioner Mary Dawson has launched a preliminary inquiry into the conduct of Sports and Disabilities Minister Kent Hehr after the Conservatives accused the minister of improperly using parliamentary resources.

Hehrhas come under fire for his activities while helping his father campaign for a seat on the Calgary Board of Education.

"We can confirm that Commissioner Dawson has launched a preliminary inquiry to determine whether an inquiry is warranted," the ethics commissioner'soffice said Friday.

"We have photographic evidence that the minister of sport and persons with disabilities improperly used parliamentary resources, campaigning for his dad in a recent Calgary election," Conservative ethics critic Peter Kent said Wednesday in the House of Commons.

The accusation stems from a photo published to twitter in Octoberby the minister's father, Richard Hehr.The photo shows a table adorned with a "Kent Hehr - Member of Parliament" sign and Richard Hehrcampaign material.

Richard Hehrwas successfully elected to the public school board on Oct. 16.

Minister Hehrapologized for the"oversight" but said he makes "no apologies" for supporting his father during the campaign.

"I am very proud of my father who at 74 years old, after 40 years of being school teacher, decided to run as a Calgary school board trustee to help make a positive difference in our community," Hehrsaid.