Ethics commissioner closes most recent probe into Randy Boissonnault's business dealings

Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein says he has reviewed Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault's records and — in the absence of any evidence that Boissonnault broke the conflict of interest law — has again closed a probe into the minister's business dealings.

The commissioner expressed new concerns following a July ethics committee meeting, when additional text messages from Boissonnault's former business partner Stephen Anderson referencing someone named "Randy" were unearthed. 

Boissonnault and Anderson co-founded the PPE company Global Health Imports before Boissonnault was named to cabinet in 2021.

Anderson sent a series of messages referring to someone named "Randy," which he blamed on autocorrect — after he admitted to lying to journalists previously when he said he was referring to another Randy who worked at GHI.

The texts, sent in September 2022, prompted new questions about whether Boissonnault continued to have a role in the business even after joining cabinet, which would be illegal.

The Conflict of Interest Act prohibits public office holders from managing or operating a business or commercial activity.

"On the basis of the information you have provided, and in the absence of any evidence giving me a reason to believe you may have been operating or managing GHI in contravention of (the Conflict of Interest Act), I consider this matter closed," von Finckenstein wrote in a letter dated September 12, 2024 that was obtained by CBC News.

In the letter, von Finckenstein said he was looking into an allegation based on a series of text messages, dated September 6, 2022, from Anderson to Malvina Ghaoui, principal of the U.S.-based business The Ghaoui Group.

Von Finckenstein wrote to Boissonnault saying the minister submitted call logs and a written response confirming there were no text messages or email exchanges between himself, Anderson or The Ghaoui Group.

He said there was a call between Anderson and Boissonnault on September 6 but Boissonnault said the call was about "passing on a Purolator past due account."

Von Finckenstein sent a similar letter to Boissonnault in July.

Boissonnault is set to appear before the Commons ethics committee on Thursday.