Liberal MP Randy Boissonault talks to reporters on March 6, 2019. A former business colleague told the House of Commons ethics committee on Wednesday that nine references to 'Randy' in texts actually refers to a female colleague in the medical supplies company he co-founded with Boissonnault.Fred Chartrand/The Canadian Press
A former business associate of Randy Boissonnault says the federal Employment Minister’s first name as an active player in a company showed up in text messages in error because of autocorrect.
Stephen Anderson told the House of Commons ethics committee on Wednesday that nine references to “Randy” in texts actually refers to a female colleague in the medical supplies company he co-founded with Mr. Boissonnault.
But Mr. Anderson declined to disclose the correct name beneath the autocorrection because of the colleague’s concerns.
“It is actually a female that worked in our organization and was heavily involved in managing day-to-day businesses. She is going through her own ordeals and she has asked us not to reveal [her name]” he said.
On Mr. Boissonnault’s first name turning up in texts related to company business, Mr. Anderson said, “This was an unfortunate autocorrect suggesting that it was Randy.”
The text messages were exchanged between Mr. Anderson and a businesswoman suing his company, Global Health Imports.
The correspondence refers to the Randy being in Vancouver in September, 2022, when the cabinet was meeting for a retreat in the B.C. city.
Mr. Boissonnault, who has denied any wrongdoing, has been facing questions about a continued association with the medical supplies company he co-founded with Mr. Anderson in 2020. The firm was created to sell pandemic-related items such as isolation gowns and disinfectant wipes.
They launched the company during Mr. Boissonnault’s break from elected politics. Mr. Boissonnault was previously elected Edmonton Centre MP in 2015, but defeated in 2019. However, he won the seat again in September, 2021. He was named to cabinet in October, 2021.
Mr. Anderson said repeatedly on Wednesday that he cut ties with Mr. Boissonnault after his colleague was elected and named to cabinet in 2021.
Such associations could violate the Conflict of Interest Act though the conflict of interest commissioner has looked at the issue, and ruled out an investigation.
On Wednesday, Mr. Anderson stuck to his story despite skepticism from opposition MPs.
“You lack any credibility whatsoever,” said Conservative MP Larry Brock. “No one at this committee believes you. Canadians don’t believe you. Fess up. The gig is up.”
Wednesday’s hearing ended with the committee ordering Mr. Anderson to provide the name behind the autocorrected Randy, and Mr. Boissonnault ordered to appear before the committee on Sept. 16.
Mr. Anderson said he “panicked” and lied when asked by Global News about Mr. Boissonnault’s associations with the company.
He said he told the news organization there was a second Randy in a leadership position with the company. Asked if he lied, Mr. Anderson told NDP ethics critic Matthew Green, “To the reporter, I did.”
Mr. Anderson repeatedly said Mr. Boissonnault has not been involved with the operation of Global Health Imports since September, 2021. Were the minister involved, he said he would say as much.
Mr. Anderson said he and Mr. Boissonnault initially met on a flight from Montreal to Edmonton, struck up a conversation on business issues, and started their business in 2019.
Responding to questioning, he said 121 people work with Global Health Imports, and there was only one Randy, namely the minister, who has left the company.
After the committee hearing, Mr. Green said Mr. Anderson’s comments make no sense to anyone who has even a tacit knowledge of technology.
“The challenge that Mr. Anderson faces is that his testimony today creates more questions than it did provide answers,” he said.
In a statement, Mr. Boissonnault expressed some concerns about the testimony.
“I am deeply troubled and disappointed by the testimony of Mr. Anderson at the ethics committee today,” he said.
The minister said he has unilaterally surrendered his shares of Global Health Imports for no compensation, and is no longer a shareholder.
“As the records I’ve given to the committee show, I have had no involvement whatsoever with the operations of GHI since September, 2021. If Mr. Anderson has subsequently been using my name without my consent to gain influence, he should simply explain that to the committee.”