OTTAWA — Embattled former Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer wants an apology from the same MPs who say he misled a Commons committee.
Jaffer sent an indignant statement to The Canadian Press on Wednesday, in response to a critical report by the Commons government operations committee. The report pointed to several inconsistencies in Jaffer’s testimony to committee last spring, and said he could be in contempt of Parliament.
Jaffer, who faces an investigation by the lobbying commissioner, shot back that the committee abused their power during the often acrimonious hearings.
Jaffer was hauled before the committee over allegations that he had been lobbying former colleagues on Parliament Hill as part of an environmental consulting firm he had co-founded.
“They took advantage of a situation during a very difficult time and helped with much of the character assassination I withstood on baseless allegations,” Jaffer said in the statement.
“Secondly, and most importantly, they should apologize to Canadians for this shameless behaviour and egregious waste of resources in the guise of parliamentary duty. This process cost the taxpayers millions of dollars and has amounted to absolutely nothing. Hence the need for the committee to save face, pointing the finger at me and calling contempt.”