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Conflict with getting historical records of the investment in renewable energy by the government of Canada? How would you make that leap, even if I had a business doing a lot of work in that field, but I’m not

The response was general, explaining spending on dozens of programs such as the “Biofuels Opportunities For Producers Initiative,” the “EcoENERGY Innovation Initiative” and the “Renewable Fuels Strategy.”

Bevington is the president of Stand Alone Energy Systems Ltd., a renewable energy business, and also holds a 50% interest in the company, according to his disclosure filing with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.

He is also the NDP critic for the Arctic Council and Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency; sits on the House of Commons environment and sustainable development committee; and has been a longtime advocate for renewable energy.

Bevington said he asked for the government’s spending on renewable energy because it is critical for the Northwest Territories’ future and hopes of addressing high energy prices. He said he was looking to identify trends in federal spending on the file.

For example, he said he has already used the information to question Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz over why his department’s spending on renewable energy “cratered” in 2013-14.

“Conflict with getting historical records of the investment in renewable energy by the government of Canada? How would you make that leap, even if I had a business doing a lot of work in that field, but I’m not,” Bevington said in an interview. “I know what the rules are.”

He said he also has an ongoing interest in renewable energy, having been a former special adviser on energy to the premier of the Northwest Territories from 2001 to 2003, and now a member of the Commons environment committee.