 Immigration Minister Jason Kenney's threat to axe funding to a group whose leader called him a "professional whore", may be investigated by the Parliamentary ethics committee. (Sun Media/Stuart Dryden, file)
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OTTAWA -- Immigration Minister Jason Kenney is facing a possible investigation by Parliament's ethics commissioner in the wake of his threat to axe funding to a group whose president called him a "professional whore."
Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis has filed a complaint against Kenney with Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson, saying he believes the minister violated the parliamentary ethics code.
"I believe for the Minister to use his position and exert undue influence and or in this case instruct his officials to hold funding from such an NGO; this sets a bad precedent which clearly should not be allowed to stand," says a copy of the complaint obtained by Sun Media.
"With this move the Minister sends out a signal to community-based NGOs to toe the line or risk losing their funding."
'RIDICULOUS'
Karygiannis, whose Toronto riding is served by the federation's settlement program, said funding for groups should be decided by civil servants based on the group's performance -- not on the basis of partisan politics.
Alykhan Velshi, spokesman for Kenney, described the complaint as "ridiculous" and said it was "disturbing" to see a Liberal MP standing up for a group that has made anti-semitic comments.
The controversy centres on a dispute between Kenney and the Canadian Arab Federation. Earlier this year, federation president Khaled Mouammar called Kenney a "professional whore" for supporting Israel.
Kenney shot back, saying groups whose leaders say intolerant or hateful things shouldn't get taxpayer money. Kenney said he has asked his department to weigh public comments made by groups when assessing their funding applications.
The Canadian Arab Federation has received $447,297 over two years to operate a settlement program in Toronto, teaching new immigrants language and job searching skills. Yesterday, department officials told MPs the group's grant is up for renewal and is being evaluated.
Catherine MacQuarrie, assistant ethics commissioner, said the ethics office will assess Karygiannis' complaint.
