Corruption.

A public office holder may not use the office to further their own private interests, a relative’s or a friend’s, or someone else’s improperly.

A member may not use parliamentary duties to further their own private interests, a family member’s, or someone else’s improperly.

On 14 August 2019 the Commissioner found the Prime Minister contravened that rule in the SNC-Lavalin matter.

On 14 February 2023 the Commissioner found Mr. Fergus contravened the Act by writing to support Natyf Inc. while its broadcasting application was before the CRTC.

On 13 December 2022 the Commissioner found Ms. Ng contravened the Act by taking part in decisions to hire a friend’s firm.

On 13 May 2021 the Commissioner found Mr. Morneau contravened the Act by giving WE preferential treatment. He and a WE co-founder were friends under the Act.

On 12 September 2018 the Commissioner found Mr. LeBlanc contravened the Act over an Arctic surf clam licence. A named prospective manager was a relative of his spouse.

On 24 July 2024 the Commissioner found Ms. Verschuren contravened the Act by taking part in funding decisions tied to organizations she was involved with. The same report says she did not break the influence rule.

On 15 June 2021 the Commissioner found Ms. Ratansi contravened the Members’ Code by hiring her foster sister in her constituency office.

On 2 September 2026 the Commissioner found Ms. Idlout contravened the Members’ Code by claiming expenses at a business she owns and one owned by her spouse.

On 13 May 2021 a separate report found the Prime Minister did not contravene the Act over the Canada Student Service Grant and WE.

Members sit in the Parliament that enacts the rules on their pay, pensions, spending, conflict penalties and lobbying. The records below state what those rules say, not why they remain.

The Parliament of Canada Act sets the House of Commons sessional allowance at $141,200 for 2004–05. Each later year it is the previous year’s amount plus that amount times the wage index.

The House lists the allowance in effect on 1 April 2026 as $217,700.

The Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act says an allowance shall be paid to or in respect of a member who ceases to be a member, or who dies.

The Board of Internal Economy is chaired by the Speaker. It also includes two Privy Council members named by the Governor in Council, the Leader of the Opposition or a nominee, and members named by the government caucus and by opposition caucuses of at least 12 members.

The Board may make by-laws governing members’ use of funds, goods, services and premises.

The Board has exclusive authority to decide whether a member’s use of those funds was proper.

CBC reported on 14 May 2010 that the Board, including MPs from all four parties, had declined the Auditor General’s request to audit $533 million in annual House and Senate spending. The Board said the audit “would go beyond the scope of the auditor general’s mandate.”

CBC reported on 15 June 2010 that Conservative House leader Jay Hill and Liberal MP Marcel Proulx announced a later Board deal. The Auditor General could audit how parliamentarians control their budgets, but not the individual spending of all MPs.

The Conflict of Interest Act sets an administrative monetary penalty of not more than $500 for listed reporting failures.

The Commissioner’s 2024–25 report says there are no penalties when an investigation finds a contravention of the Act. It says the $500 amount “is not an effective incentive because the amount is so low,” and it recommends a maximum of $3,000.

Official 2011 results give the Conservative Party 166 of 308 seats (53.9%).

The same results give that party 39.6% of valid votes.

Official 2015 results give the Liberal Party 184 of 338 seats (54.4%).

The same results give that party 39.5% of valid votes.

An Elections Canada review says that, in the elections it covers, the lowest popular vote for a majority was 1997, when the Liberals won 51.5% of the seats with 38.5% of the vote. It says major national parties tend to be the principal beneficiaries when votes are converted into seats.

Elections Canada still describes the system as first-past-the-post. The candidate with the most votes wins, and an absolute majority is not required.

The accountability page records the 2015 Liberal platform line that 2015 would be the last federal election under first-past-the-post.

It also records the 1 February 2017 mandate letter: “Changing the electoral system will not be in your mandate.”

The Lobbying Act bars a designated public office holder from lobbying for five years after leaving office. The Commissioner of Lobbying may exempt a person.