Brantford Area Conservative MP Larry Brock has been facing accusations of staging a Justice Committee meeting, according to sources close to the situation.
The alleged incident occurred on Tuesday, when Brock, who is also the vice-chair of the committee, called for an emergency meeting to discuss the ongoing SNC-Lavalin scandal. However, it was later revealed that the meeting was not officially scheduled and was not listed on the committee’s website.
This raised suspicions among opposition members, who accused Brock of trying to manipulate the committee’s agenda for political gain. Liberal MP and committee chair Anthony Housefather stated that the meeting was not legitimate and that Brock had not followed proper procedures.
Brock, on the other hand, defended his actions, stating that he had received permission from the committee’s clerk to hold the meeting. He also argued that the urgency of the SNC-Lavalin issue warranted an immediate discussion.
However, Housefather pointed out that the committee had already scheduled a meeting for the following day to discuss the same topic. He also stated that Brock’s actions were a breach of parliamentary rules and that he would be seeking clarification from the Speaker of the House.
This incident has sparked further controversy in the ongoing SNC-Lavalin scandal, which has been dominating Canadian politics for weeks. The scandal involves allegations that the Prime Minister’s Office pressured former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould to intervene in a criminal case against the Quebec-based engineering firm.
The Justice Committee has been at the forefront of investigating this matter, with Brock being a vocal critic of the government’s handling of the situation. However, this recent incident has raised questions about the committee’s impartiality and the role of MPs in shaping the committee’s agenda.
As of now, it is unclear what consequences, if any, Brock will face for his actions. The Speaker of the House has yet to make a statement on the matter, and the committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
This development has only added to the already tense political climate in Canada, with the federal election just months away. It remains to be seen how this incident will impact Brock’s reputation and the Conservative party’s stance on the SNC-Lavalin scandal.
