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Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Under the code, gifts “that might reasonably be seen to have been given to influence the member in the exercise of a duty or function of his or her office” are prohibited. There is a reporting requirement for any gifts “related to the member’s position.”

“Mr. O’Regan did not declare this gift, presumably, because he felt that this gift was given outside the scope of his position as a Member of Parliament. I find this reasoning specious,” Angus wrote in the letter.

The Aga Khan’s charitable foundation receives significant funding from the Canadian government, making him a party “with pecuniary interests in the decisions made by the government,” he argued.

“Although he accepted the Aga Khan’s gift, Mr. O’Regan felt that he was not required to disclose it to your office and to the Canadian public. The monetary value was likely in the thousands of dollars. It would never have become public at all were it not for independent media reports, which would have been even less likely if the prime minister were not involved.”

Angus ended the letter with a plea that even if O’Regan is found to have acted within the bounds of the code, then the issue should spur a review of the code itself.

Dion is also considering investigating another Liberal MP, Raj Grewal, over what the opposition says were inappropriate invitations to India receptions for his outside employer. An investigation into Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s introduction of a pensions bill that would benefit his family company was also left open by Dawson.

Trudeau has repeatedly said that he and his MPs always follow the ethics commissioner’s advice.

“They wait to get caught, and then they’ll comply. But that’s not really a standard of ethical behaviour. Certainly not the behaviour the prime minister promised,” Angus said.

• Email: mdsmith@postmedia.com | Twitter: mariedanielles