Michael Barrett at the Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee

November 5th, 2025 / 4:45 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON

I'll start with you, Professor Stark.

You've made the comment that ethics rules should protect the public trust. I think that's incredibly important. At a time when the public sees their trust in democratic institutions and elected officials at all-time lows, we need to find ways to bolster public confidence.

Would adding apparent or potential conflicts of interest to the act close a loophole that currently allows compliance? Do you think doing so would address the concern that when the public currently sees a conflict, they feel like there's no action being taken?

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