Liberal MP Lori Idlout from Ottawa has been found to have breached Parliament’s conflict of interest code by the ethics commissioner. Despite the violation, no penalties were recommended for her actions.
The investigation by Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein focused on Idlout’s purchases from her own store that were charged to the House of Commons. Idlout promptly reimbursed the House, attributing the error to a submission mistake.
Expressing gratitude for the report, Idlout acknowledged the commissioner’s findings and emphasized her commitment to addressing the issue seriously. She clarified that the purchases were intended for legitimate parliamentary purposes without benefiting her financially.
Finckenstein’s report characterized Idlout’s actions as errors of judgment made in good faith. The commissioner highlighted that Idlout promptly rectified the situation by repaying the House once the errors were brought to her attention, demonstrating a genuine effort to correct the non-compliance issues.
Idlout, the sole shareholder and director of Carvings Nunavut, a gallery specializing in Inuit-made artwork, categorized certain purchases as protocol gifts since assuming her role as an MP. Among these purchases were four items from Carvings Nunavut, totaling $1,756 in 2025.
The most significant purchase was $1,380 worth of items, including cards, tote bags, keychains, and sculptures, gifted to First Nations leaders and elders at an NDP meeting. Other purchases included a wall hanging, a lapel pin for a fellow MP, and various items for a government official.
These expenses were incurred during Idlout’s tenure as an NDP MP before she switched to the Liberal party in 2026. Subsequently, Conservative MP Michael Barrett requested an inquiry into Idlout’s conduct under the conflict of interest code, citing poor judgment in her actions.
In response to the scrutiny, Idlout expressed regret for her lapse in judgment and committed to learning from the experience, pledging to adhere closely to the commissioner’s guidance in the future.
