A one-time aide to former prime minister Stephen Harper has been fined $50,000 for illegally lobbying on behalf of oil and gas companies. Carson’s contacts included ministers and deputy ministers at Industry Canada and Environment Canada as well as Harper’s chief of staff, Nigel Wright. The judge agreed with federal prosecutor Robert Zsigo that a heavy fine was necessary given the gravity of the offence. Carson’s lawyer, Pat McCann, previously told the judge that Carson is close to bankruptcy and can’t afford to pay a $50,000 fine. However, the judge found that Carson remains employable and made a substantial amount of money – “part of $600,000” – for his lobbying activities in 2009 and 2010.

Source: National Post November 04, 2016 17:10 UTC