Michael Barrett
- Born
- 1984
- Political Experience
- Canadian member of parliament from Ontario
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering federal politics, Michael Barrett served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a telecommunications operator. After his military service, he reportedly worked in the private sector in logistics management. He also served as a municipal councillor in the Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal. According to his disclosures to the Ethics Commissioner, he has declared rental income from a property.
Key Relationships & Connections
As a prominent member of the Conservative Party, Michael Barrett is a key ally of party leader Pierre Poilievre. He has served in significant roles within the Conservative shadow cabinet, including as the Shadow Minister for Ethics and Accountable Government. This role places him in direct opposition to government ministers on files related to ethics, lobbying, and government spending. He was reportedly a supporter of Erin O'Toole during the 2020 Conservative leadership race.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
In 2021, the Ethics Commissioner investigated Michael Barrett after it was reported he wrote a letter to the CRTC in support of a radio station's license application. The owner of the company behind the application had donated to Barrett's constituency association. The Commissioner's report concluded that Barrett did not breach the Conflict of Interest Act. However, the Commissioner cautioned him about the perception of preferential treatment and advised him to avoid writing such letters in the future.
Public Controversies
In 2021, Michael Barrett faced controversy after being accused of having a staff member, who is also his wife, secretly record a virtual meeting with another MP from a different party. The incident was reported to the House of Commons administration for investigation. Barrett publicly stated that the recording was made because he was concerned about the MP's conduct during their meeting.
Where Michael falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Michael Barrett won with 33,437 votes (50.0%)
Total votes cast: 66,811
How does Michael Barrett's voting record line up with your values?
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the response, but what veterans are looking for is an answer. They are looking for a date by which they will have a review and an answer on accessing the benefits they have earned. They have done their job. They have served Canada with unlimited liability. It is time for the government to step up, end the backlog of 10,000 applications and deliver for veterans. The
veterans minister Madam Speaker, nearly 10,000 veterans disability benefit applications are overdue and have passed the government's own service delivery standard. Yesterday, I asked theabout the 20% cut to the staff who review those applications. It was in her own departmental plan. She said that it is not cutting but sunsetting the positions. She can call it what she likes. Veterans just want
Mr. Speaker, Brockville, Ontario, is home to outstanding businesses, organizations and community leaders. I want to congratulate the winners and recipients of the 67th Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce Awards of Excellence. I congratulate Wajahat Khaleeque, the business person of the year; Sheena Earl, the young professional of the year; Terry Wills, citizen of the year; and Dane
That's an absurd allegation.
It was in September that the minister said he believed that he would be in a conflict of interest if he were to do all the things he went on to do. That was the minister's belief. You have since provided him with advice contrary to that. Were you asked if a recent or current executive at Alto could provide work on the budget speech or presentation? Was that something the minister or his office
Mr. Aquilino, what is the date of the first correspondence on the matter? Do you have that?
That being said, you went on to participate in votes in the House related to Alto. You went on to introduce a bill that included measures specifically related to Alto. It was the implementation legislation for the High-Speed Rail Network Act. There's no recusal publicly posted with respect to cabinet decisions or discussions, so we're left to understand that you didn't recuse yourself. You've
I have a point of order, Chair, before it's my time. Are we able to get unanimous consent from the committee to work through bells if they ring during the minister's appearance? I expect that he has a limited amount of time.
Minister, I'd like to know what the precautions you took actually prevented you from doing. You did go on to do those things that you believe to be of a general application, but your department went on to hire one of the many Alto executives to participate in the preparation for your budget presentation and preparation of your budget speech. It's a small world. It's a small country in terms of
Minister, thank you for joining us today. This is the second time we've had the opportunity to discuss this issue. You appeared at the committee of the whole. I asked you questions. I regret that the responses weren't answers to the questions. Today, I'm hoping that we can drill down and get those responses. Prime Minister In September 2025, you wrote a letter. It was reported that you wrote a
In your explanation of why the minister wasn't in a conflict, you said in your first point that it was a file for the Minister of Transport and not a file belonging to the finance minister. However, it was in his bill. He introduced it. The budget implementation act contained all kinds of things, but it also specifically contained the enabling legislation for Alto, the creation of the High-Speed
Commissioner, the finance minister was just here at committee. In his final minutes on the question of the release of the correspondence between you and him, he said, and I quote, “I'll let the Ethics Commissioner decide if he wants to share it.” The minister has said that it's up to you. We know that normally you would say that it's up to him. We have that Spider-Man cartoon with the two
For the creation of it, we understand your interpretation. C-15 With respect to the minister's voting specifically on clause 191 of Bill.... There was a vote to delete clause 191. It would have removed the High-Speed Rail Network Act from the budget implementation act. The minister voted specifically on that item. The minister said he did so because it was of a “general application”. Are you of
Prime Minister The minister himself said that he believed he would be in a conflict of interest were he to participate in debates, discussions, decisions or votes related to Alto. He said that in a letter to thein September. Now, you've made public comments about your opinion, and you've made public comments in response to his comments on the advice that you've provided him. Are you able to
For my last question, what did the screen prevent you from doing if you were able to discuss or to vote on the matter? If there were all of these Alto-related intersections with your responsibilities, what did the screen that you said was invoked out of an abundance of caution prevent you from doing?