Ms. Gail Lidstone (Manager, Advisory, & Compliance, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner) at the Procedure and House Affairs Committee

I will start by addressing the issue of VIA Rail contracts. Members may not enter into contracts with the federal government, unless the Commissioner finds that there is no conflict of interest. In the case of VIA Rail, it may or may not be acceptable, depending on the specific details of the contract.

As for private sector companies...