In the summer of 2020, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (the Committee) commenced a study regarding the safeguards in place to prevent conflicts of interest in federal government expenditure policies. The study lapsed once Parliament was prorogued. In November 2020, the Committee began a study on questions of conflict of interest and lobbying in relation to pandemic spending. It was agreed that the new study would be a continuation of the 2020 summer’s study.

This report details the events surrounding the awarding of the contribution agreement for the administration of the Canada Student Service Grant. It also addresses issues concerning communications by a former reporting public office holder with government officials as well as the federal government’s award of a ventilator contract during the pandemic. In doing so, it touches on the strengths and shortcomings of the federal conflict of interest and lobbying regimes. It also highlights ways in which transparency and oversight of federal spending can be enhanced in the future.

The Committee makes several recommendations, including that the Government of Canada establish oversight and accountability mechanisms that are specifically designed to ensure rapid and transparent allocation of federal funds during emergency situations.