The Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators

52. (1) When the matter under review or inquiry by the Senate Ethics Officer or study by the Committee is a matter in respect of which an investigation is being conducted by proper authorities to determine if an offence under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province or territory has been committed, the review, inquiry or study may be suspended by the Senate Ethics Officer or the Committee, as the case may be, if:
(a) the Senate Ethics Officer or the Committee, as the case may be, believes that the review, inquiry or study could prejudice the investigation of the matter by the proper authorities; or
(b) the proper authorities request, in writing, that the review, inquiry or study be suspended.

52. (2) The Senate Ethics Officer shall suspend a preliminary review or an inquiry and the Committee shall suspend its study if the matter under review, inquiry or study is a matter in respect of which charges have been laid against the Senator under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province or territory.

52. (3) The preliminary review, inquiry or study suspended pursuant to subsection (1) may be resumed at any time by the Senate Ethics Officer or the Committee unless charges have been laid in respect of the matter under review, inquiry or study.

52. (4) A suspended procedure in respect of which charges have been laid against the Senator shall be resumed after the final disposition of the charges.

52. (5) The Senate Ethics Officer or the Committee shall notify the proper authorities when there are reasonable grounds to believe the Senator may have committed an offence under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province or territory.