Employment Minister Boissonnault Faces Renewed Scrutiny Over Family’s Indigenous Claims and Business Ties
Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault, an Edmonton MP, is under fresh scrutiny following reports questioning his family’s Indigenous identity and his former company’s claims of being Indigenous-owned. The parliamentary ethics committee is poised to investigate further as allegations against the minister continue to mount.
Allegations Over Business Dealings
Boissonnault has faced ongoing probes regarding his involvement with Global Health Imports (GHI), a medical supplies company he co-founded. GHI has been accused of falsely portraying itself as an Indigenous-owned business while bidding for federal contracts in 2020. The minister has denied the allegations, stating that his former business partner, Stephen Anderson, acted without his consent to further personal interests.
Text messages recently surfaced, allegedly showing Anderson updating Boissonnault on a business deal in 2022. The minister denies any involvement with the company after joining the federal cabinet in 2021, as required by conflict-of-interest laws.
Conservative ethics critic Michael Barrett has called for expanded investigations, accusing Boissonnault of staying involved with GHI while serving as a senior cabinet minister. Barrett also highlighted allegations that GHI fraudulently claimed Indigenous ownership to secure federal contracts.
Questions Over Indigenous Identity
Adding to the controversy, Boissonnault’s statements about his family’s Indigenous heritage have come under scrutiny. In 2015, the Liberal Party’s Indigenous Peoples’ Commission identified him as one of 10 Indigenous Liberal MPs elected to the House of Commons. However, in 2019, the party retracted the claim, citing a staff error.
Boissonnault has referred to his Cree great-grandmother and stated that his mother is Métis, though experts remain skeptical of these shifting narratives. Author and retired lawyer Michelle Good expressed concern over the discrepancies, likening them to cases of identity fraud.
Boissonnault’s spokesperson, Alice Hansen, clarified that his mother and brother recently registered as citizens of the Métis Nation of Alberta, providing necessary documentation. Hansen also said the minister previously self-identified as a “non-status adopted Cree” based on family history as understood at the time.
Calls to Leave Indigenous Caucus
Boissonnault’s membership in the Liberal Indigenous caucus has drawn criticism. While he claims to sit as an ally representing Alberta’s urban Indigenous population, advocates, including Jean Teillet, a retired Métis lawyer, have called for his removal. Teillet argued that individuals with questionable Indigenous ties should not influence policies affecting Indigenous communities.
Next Steps in Investigations
The ethics committee plans to summon Boissonnault for further testimony, focusing on allegations of fraudulent claims by GHI and the minister’s potential involvement. The Liberal Party has yet to respond to inquiries about these controversies.
Boissonnault has expressed regret for partnering with Anderson, describing it as an “error in judgment.” However, pressure continues to build as opposition parties push for accountability.
Source : The Canadian Press
