OTTAWA—Ottawa’s ethics watchdog has launched a formal probe into Industry Minister Christian Paradis’ visit to a hunting lodge owned by a Quebec businessman lobbying for federal help to build arena.

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson has confirmed that she will examine whether Paradis’ overnight stay with Marcel Aubut ran afoul of federal rules.

Paradis drew sharp criticism last month after it was revealed he enjoyed a 2009 weekend at a lodge owned by Aubut, former owner of the Quebec Nordiques.

At the time, Aubut was spearheading efforts to get a new hockey arena build in Quebec City. Just the day before Paradis’ hunting lodge visit, Aubut had been in New York City with Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume for a “fruitful” meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

At the time, Labeaume pegged the cost of the new facility at $400 million, with the city contributing $50 million to the project. He wanted the federal and provincial governments to each pony up $175 million under infrastructure programs.

Later that day, Aubut was hosting Paradis, then Minister of Public Works and Government Services, at his lodge.

Paradis has defended his visit with Aubut, claiming he paid all his own expenses and that he was never lobbied.

The investigation comes just a month after Dawson ruled that Paradis broke his government’s conflict-of-interest law when he gave preferential treatment to former MP Rahim Jaffer in helping setting up meetings with Public Works officials.

Dawson is also probing the move of a Service Canada outlet from Rimouski, Que. — an NDP riding — to Paradis’ riding.

Liberal MP Scott Andrews welcomed the news of the investigation.

“At its face, we know Minister Paradis exercised poor judgment and his actions must be scrutinized to see whether or not he is once again in violation of the Conflict of Interest Act,” Andrews, the party’s ethics critic, said in a statement Tuesday.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Read more about: