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OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, October 22, 2009 · 4 More fallout from Halton MP's Toronto fundraiser By Tim Foran METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Halton MP Lisa Raitt will refrain from participating in matters involving the Cement Association of Canada (CAC) or its vice president of industry affairs, Michael McSweeney, who arranged ticket sales to a Halton Conservative Association fundraiser held in support of Raitt on Sept. 24. Raitt filed the "agreed compliance measure" on Oct. 9, according to the public registry included on the website of the Canadian Parliament's Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. "I, Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, have agreed not to participate in matters involving the Cement Association of Canada (CAC), or Mr. Michael McSweeney acting on behalf of the CAC, in order to prevent any conflict of interest, and in particular not to give preferential treatment to Mr. Mc Sweeney or the CAC," the statement declares. "Any dealings between CAC and the Department of Natural Resources will be addressed by the Deputy Minister or such other person as may be designated by the Deputy Minister." Raitt's office did not return a request for comment. According to the federal lobbyist registry, the CAC communicated with Raitt on Sept. 24 on the subjects of energy and the environment. That was the same day the local federal Alam & Rasul Certified Management Accountants www.alamandrasulcmas.ca We are a full service professional accounting firm - offering: · Corporate and personal tax services · Preparation of financial statements · Help in Tax audits and appeals · Controllership services for small biz · Bookkeeping, GST/PST & Payroll services · Business start-ups and Incorporation 300-1100 Burloak Dr. Burlington, L7L 6B2 Ph: 905-336-8935 Fax: 905-332-3007 Email: info@alamandrasulcmas.ca If you have a question or concern relating to the provincial government, please do not hesitate to contact me at my constituency office ­ we're here to help. Conservative riding association held the fundraising reception for Raitt, according to information previously included on the association's website. For those interested in purchasing tickets to the event, the website had included contact information for McSweeney, including his work e-mail and fax number. Lobbyist registration regulations don't require the disclosure of who from the CAC actually communicated with Raitt. The CAC is an association representing eight construction companies, including Lafarge Canada and Holcim (Canada) Inc., which owns Dufferin Aggregates. It lobbied various public office holders from different government departments nine times this year and advocates on a wide variety of policies, programs and legislation. Halton Conservative Association (HCA) President John Challinor has said McSweeney was an individual volunteer who sold tickets for the fundraiser and that Raitt was unaware of his involvement. Money raised from the fundraising reception went to the HCA, not Raitt, Challinor noted. The fundraiser has also drawn criticism from the NDP and the Liberals because Raitt's former executive assistant at the Toronto Port Authority, a crown agency, sent e-mails out about the fundraiser from her work e-mail address. Raitt served as president and CEO of the authority until last year's election. Challinor has said an HCA volunteer made the mistake without Raitt's knowledge. Both the government and Raitt `s office previously stated that the use of the TPA's email system was inappropriate, and the TPA has said the e-mails were not an authorized use of the agency's system. Their assurances haven't satisfied Mississauga South Liberal MP Paul Szabo, chair of Parliament's Ethics Committee. Szabo said he faxed a 42-page submission early Friday morning to four parliamentary watchdogs asking them to investigate the HCA fundraiser. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's Office confirmed Monday it has now initiated an investigation under the Conflict of Interest Act with respect to allegations made against Raitt, although it provided no additional details. However, the office is required to examine all such requests made by MPs or Senators unless the commissioner determines the request is frivolous, vexatious or made in bad faith, according to the Conflict of Interest Act. The Privacy Commissioner's Office said it is examining Szabo's allegations. The offices of the commissioners of lobbying and Elections Canada do not comment on specific cases. Community Office 2330 Lakeshore Road West Oakville, ON L6L 1H3 Email: kflynn.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org Tel: (905) 827-5141 Fax: (905) 827-3786 Add me to Facebook! Thursday October 22 · 10am-6pm Friday October 23 · 10am-6pm Saturday October 24 · 10am-5pm Piano House Burlington offers New and Used Upright Grand Pianos Yamaha, Kawai, Samick and much more...Digital Pianos by Dynatone Used Pianos from $995 New Baby Grands from $7995 New Digital Pianos from $1295 CLEARANCE SALE FALL Piano House Burlington 5205 Unit #2 Harvester Rd. Burlington 905-631-9259