In news we probably wouldn’t pass along if not for the fact it’s August, Canada’s ethics watchdog ruled today that Conservative MP Christian Paradis did not violate the country’s Conflict of Interest Act by accepting a two-night stay at the hunting lodge of businessman (and former Nordiques owner) Marcel Aubut, who at the time was lobbying the federal government to help fund a new hockey arena in Quebec City.
In “The Paradis Report” (click here for PDF), Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson ruled that “Paradis had no official role with respect to the Quebec City arena at the time of Mr. Aubut’s invitation or up to the time of the hunting trip and the possibility that he would have an official role was far from certain. As well, the prospect of a federal contribution to the construction of a new arena was only a remote possibility.”
Construction of the $400 million arena, slated to open in 2015, was ultimately split between the province and the city.
Related: Former Nordiques owner says NHL is returning to Quebec City soon