Opposition parties say Boissonnault’s former business partner is in contempt of Parliament

Calls are intensifying for federal cabinet minister Randy Boissonnault’s former business partner, Stephen Anderson, to be held in contempt of Parliament for failing to produce requested documents and information.

This week, the federal NDP and Bloc Québécois joined the Conservatives in their effort to find Anderson in contempt after he did not provide the call logs, texts, and the identity of the "Randy" mentioned in September 2022 messages, which had been requested by the ethics committee earlier this summer.

Opposition parties are urging the House of Commons to compel Anderson to supply the outstanding documents, as they investigate allegations that Boissonnault violated ethics rules by being involved in a business deal while in office.

Boissonnault has denied the allegations, asserting he is not the "Randy" referenced in the messages. Canada’s ethics commissioner has also reviewed Boissonnault’s call logs and declared the matter closed. However, opposition MPs have raised concerns about the ethics commissioner’s limited investigative powers and continue to seek more information from Anderson.

Last week, Conservative ethics critic Michael Barrett raised a "question of privilege" in the House of Commons, arguing that Anderson’s refusal to comply violated the committee’s parliamentary privilege to function without obstruction. The Speaker took the matter under advisement, initiating a parliamentary process.

NDP ethics critic Matthew Green supported Barrett’s question of privilege, stating, “This House must uphold the authority to protect our parliamentary privilege in order to ensure accountability and transparency in all matters of government oversight before its standing committees.”

Bloc Québécois MP René Villemure, a member of the ethics committee, also backed the Conservative move, saying, “If we accept (Anderson’s) non-answers, where will the committee go? The whole legitimacy of this committee is at stake.”

Boissonnault has been scrutinized by the ethics committee for months, following texts sent by Anderson in September 2022 that referenced ongoing discussions about a multi-million-dollar business deal involving someone named "Randy." At the time, Boissonnault, MP for Edmonton Centre, was serving as tourism minister and associate finance minister. Canadian ethics laws prevent cabinet ministers from operating or managing private businesses.

Boissonnault co-founded Global Health Imports (GHI) with Anderson in 2020. However, Boissonnault has consistently stated that he ceased involvement with GHI after his re-election and cabinet appointment in 2021.

The Speaker must now decide whether Anderson’s refusal constitutes contempt. If the Speaker rules there is an appearance of contempt, MPs will vote on a motion, which could result in Anderson being found in contempt if he is deemed to have interfered with the ethics committee's study of Boissonnault’s possible violation of the Conflict of Interest Act.

Green expressed concern about the broader trend of witnesses refusing to cooperate with parliamentary inquiries, comparing Anderson’s case to that of ArriveCan contractor Kristian Firth, who was found in contempt of Parliament in April for not answering committee questions about his company’s contract with the government.

“If citizens, MPs, ministers, or senators decide not to cooperate with parliamentary processes, it undermines our democratic system,” Green said.

During a summer ethics committee hearing, Anderson was repeatedly asked who "Randy" referred to in his texts. He insisted it was not Boissonnault, blaming autocorrect for typing "Randy" nine times. Anderson’s refusal to answer questions and failure to provide documents are both potential grounds for contempt, as noted in a recent committee report.

Villemure suggested the matter could have been settled in the summer had Anderson been more forthcoming, remarking, “We still need to answer: Who is Randy?”

Boissonnault’s office has urged Anderson to comply with the committee’s requests.

New details emerged after Boissonnault’s recent testimony before the ethics committee revealed he had brief contact with Anderson in the fall of 2022. Boissonnault acknowledged texting and speaking with Anderson on September 6, 2022—the same day Anderson messaged a client about discussing a business deal with someone named "Randy."

Boissonnault explained that his contact with Anderson on that day was to address an issue raised by Purolator regarding an account held by GHI, with which Boissonnault claimed he had not been involved for over a year.

Liberal MP Anthony Housefather read aloud texts from Boissonnault to Anderson, including one that read: “Hello. Where in the world are you?” This message, Boissonnault said, prompted a brief phone call, after which Boissonnault sent follow-up messages, including, “Great to hear your voice” and “Saturday drink?” Boissonnault added that the meeting never took place.

Green emphasized that this new information supports the committee’s responsibility to continue seeking the truth, despite the ethics commissioner’s earlier decision that he lacked sufficient evidence to pursue an investigation.

Boissonnault’s office insisted the minister has shared all necessary communications with the ethics commissioner, although questions remain about specific texts. Both Green and Villemure argued that the ethics commissioner’s powers are limited, calling for a review of the laws governing such investigations.

Without stronger independent investigative powers, Green said Parliament must step in to demand the outstanding documents from Anderson to ensure government accountability.

“It is fair to say it is far from over,” he concluded.