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Yenilmez also confirmed that Grewal’s work “only involves private legal disputes, we do not have any files with the federal government.”

In a subsequent email Tuesday afternoon, Yenilmez confirmed Grewal’s account that he had approached the office for invitations, saying that while he had access to events through the council, “I also called Mr. Grewal’s office and asked to make sure my name was on the list.”

Grewal would not give a yes-or-no answer when asked if the ethics commissioner had reviewed whether the invitations from his office were appropriate.

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“As is common practice, I invited a diverse group of more than thirty supporters and stakeholders to participate in events around the India trip,” he said in an email this weekend. “(Yusuf) is the head of a local company that employs over 300 people, as well as a supporter. But I included anyone who came to me who was interested in attending.”

A similar process had been described by Sarai to justify Atwal’s invitation. In an interview with his local newspaper, Sarai said earlier this month he had forwarded the names of 25 to 30 people from various industries. “All we did is forwarded anybody that wanted to attend, that had expressed interest in the office,” he told the Surrey Now-Leader.

Grewal said Yenilmez would have gained access to receptions through the Canada-India Business Council, even if his office hadn’t put his name on the list. Yet on the list he was.

Grewal added that a conflict-of-interest screen had been put into place by the ethics commissioner. “I have and will continue to follow the screen,” he said.