Mary Ng did not consider resigning after ethics breach

Canada’s international trade minister says he never considered resigning after the federal ethics commissioner found he broke rules by signing a contract with a friend.

“I couldn’t walk away from any deal that ultimately led to that contract, and I regret that, and it was a mistake, and I apologize for that,” Mary Ng told CTV’s Question Period Sunday host. Vasi Kapelos.

“Canadians expect me to continue to work hard. I’m committed to continuing to do that.”

Asked if he ever thought about resigning, Ng said: “I’ve said that after making this mistake I have to work very, very hard to earn the trust of those I serve in my riding, but really in Canada. But no, I will continue to work hard for Canadians.”

Kapelos also pressed Ng on whether he would return the money.

“And to be clear, you say you have not and will not consider paying that money back.” Kapelos asked. “It is true?”

“Yes,” Ng replied before adding, “There are services that have been provided for Canadians in that work and the contract has been awarded and it complies with the procurement rules.”

“And like I said, Wassey, and I’ve said it and I’ll continue to say it, I apologize for my lack of challenge, it won’t happen again, and I’m committed to working very hard for Canadians and my constituents,” Ng said.

in May 2022then federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion opened an investigation into Ng’s conduct since spring 2020, which included a roughly $17,000 media training contract awarded to a company co-founded by the liberal strategist.

The commissioner released his report in December, concluding that Ng did not appear to be involved in further discussions on the final terms of the contract.

However, he ruled that Ng had broken the rules refusing to resign of the process that led to the decision to award the contract to public relations firm Pomp and Circumstance because of his nearly 20-year friendship with the firm’s co-founder Amanda Alvaro.

As a result, Ng apologized in the House of Commons.

Speaking on Question Time, Ng said the award of the contract was in line with Treasury Board guidelines.

“What I failed to do was withdraw, so I’m sorry it was a mistake. And what I would say to Canadians is that I’m going to continue to work as hard as I can, and that’s the only way I know how to continue to do it. this is working for Canadians, serving Canadians,” he said.

Ng testified in February parliamentary committee study of contract details. During the meeting, the conservatives put pressure on him whether he will return the money spent on the contract or whether he intends to resign.

With files from Digital Parliamentary Senior Reporter Rachel Aiello and The Canadian Press