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“The PPSC had no involvement in the Nigel Wright investigation,” spokesperson Nathalie Houle told The Canadian Press.

Houle added that the RCMP is not required to consult the PPSC on possible charges under the act.

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The Mounties did reportedly consult with provincial Crown prosecutors, who would have been responsible for prosecuting any Criminal Code charges against Wright.

Documents filed in court by the RCMP during the course of its investigation indicated that the force was pursuing potential criminal charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust against Wright and Duffy. They made no mention of the Parliament of Canada Act.

The force continues to investigate Duffy and has not yet concluded whether charges against him are warranted.

Asked who, if anyone, was consulted about possible charges against Wright under the Parliament of Canada Act, RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Lucy Shorey said, “We are not in a position to comment on the matter.”

NDP ethics critic Charlie Angus wrote RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson last month, asking that the RCMP explain why it concluded no charges should be laid against Wright. He specifically asked why sect. 16 of the Parliament of Canada Act was deemed not to have been violated and whether the decision not to prosecute was discussed with the director of public prosecutions, who heads up the PPSC.

In a written response to Angus this week, Paulson did not specifically address Angus’ questions about the Parliament of Canada Act. However, he assured Angus that in “complex cases, the police will consult extensively with the prosecution service of jurisdiction.