Madam Chair, we're here this morning to talk about the code. That's important to note.
Regarding the code, there's a constitutional barrier. Only Parliament can punish its members. It isn't for me or anyone else to impose a sanction on a member of Parliament, because only Parliament can do that.
However, in my reports, I can recommend a sanction and specify which one I'm recommending. That said, the House of Commons decides whether to impose a sanction.
With respect to the Conflict of Interest Act, that's another matter entirely. The act doesn't even let me make recommendations for possible sanctions. My role is limited to analyzing the facts and reporting my findings to the Prime Minister, period.
Would I want it to go further? Perhaps. However, we could discuss this issue as part of a review of the act, in another committee.