[taco.vidal]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/toew...ules-1.4079782

Former cabinet minister-turned-Manitoba judge broke conflict of interest rules, commissioner finds
Former Harper government minister 'switched sides' and advised First Nations group

By Kathleen Harris, CBC News Posted: Apr 21, 2017 1:13 PM ET Last Updated: Apr 21, 2017 5:33 PM ET

Former Conservative cabinet minister Vic Toews broke conflict of interest rules by doing consulting work for two Manitoba First Nations after he left office, Canada's ethics commissioner has found.

In a report released Friday, Mary Dawson said Toews, now a Manitoba judge, advised the same First Nations group he had previously battled in court when he was Treasury Board president in Stephen Harper's cabinet.

"In providing strategic advice on a proposed settlement agreement in relation to the Kapyong matter, and in participating in its drafting, Mr. Toews switched sides," Dawson's report said about the conflict of interest and ethics commissioner. "He acted for or on behalf of a party that was seeking relief against a decision in which he had been involved as a minister of the Crown."

'Unfit' to sit as judge

Duff Conacher, co-founder of Democracy Watch, said the Canadian Judicial Council should review Toews's actions.

"In my opinion, given that he violated one of the fundamental democratic good government laws in Canada, [it should] rule that he is unfit to continue sitting as a judge," he said in an emailed statement. "My opinion is based on the integrity rules in the ethics code for federal judges, which require judges to act in ways that sustain and enhance public confidence in the judiciary."