On August 27, 2020, the Senate Ethics Officer reported his findings in a preliminary review he carried out to decide if an inquiry was warranted in order to determine whether Senator Leo Housakos had complied with his obligations under the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators.
The preliminary review considered whether Senator Housakos, by sending an email from his Senate email account dated May 5, 2020, which appeared to be endorsing Erin O’Toole as Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, used his position as a senator to improperly further the private interests of Mr. O’Toole and of the Conservative Party of Canada.
The preliminary determination letter, provided to Senator Housakos on August 26, 2020 pursuant to subsection 47(14) of the Code, which was thereafter deposited with the Clerk of the Senate, is available on the website of the Senate Ethics Officer by clicking here.
The Senate Ethics Officer has no further comments concerning this matter.