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Although he received advice from the former Senate ethics officer in 2011 that he could be perceived to be in a conflict of interest, Boisvenu renewed her contract two more times.

In 2013, media reports revealed that Boisvenu had been billing the Senate for stays at Lapointe’s home in Gatineau, Que. It was only after that point that she took a job elsewhere in the Senate. Boisvenu repaid the Senate $900 for the expenses.

“He had the perception that the nature of the political institution meant that different standards applied as opposed to what is applicable in a public sector institution,” read the report.

The senator had said he did not think his relationship fit into the definition of “family members,” “spouse,” or “common-law spouse,” within the conflict of interest code.

Boisvenu had also directly approached the Senate clerk over Lapointe’s working conditions and vacation entitlement after she left his office.

Whether you are a parliamentarian or a staff member, Canadians expect [and] I expect people be held accountable for their actions

Senate ethics officer Lyse Ricard found in June that Boisvenu had breached the conflict of interest code, but that it was an “error in judgment made in good faith.” She did not recommend any sanctions.

The committee’s report comes in the wake of four Senate suspensions over travel and housing expenses. While initially defending senators Pamela Wallin and Mike Duffy, Harper later adopted a tougher public tone on any potential improprieties.

“Whether you are a parliamentarian or a staff member, Canadians expect [and] I expect people be held accountable for their actions,” Harper said in a speech last November.

Boisvenu is one of the government’s key spokesmen in the Senate on law and order issues. He became a victims’ rights activist following the murder of his daughter in 2002.

He has been open about the emotional turmoil that the relationship with Lapointe caused, telling reporters in 2013 he was torn between his wife and his girlfriend.

“Since Ms. Lapointe left…it’s as if the life of the office left,” Boisvenu said.

“My assistant, she was the heart of the office, really she was the cement, between my political adviser, between my staff. When that disappears, everything falls apart.”