Ottawa: Punjabi-origin Canadian MP Randeep Singh Sarai has been fined for violating Canada’s conflict of interest law, according to Canadian media reports.
Authorities found the Liberal Party lawmaker guilty under the Conflict of Interest Act and imposed a fine of 200 Canadian dollars. Under the law, the maximum penalty for such a violation is 500 dollars.
Failed to disclose assets on time
Sarai was accused of failing to publicly disclose his assets within the mandatory deadline after being appointed Secretary of State for International Development. According to the rules, lawmakers must declare their assets within 60 days of assuming such a role.
The MP represents Surrey Centre in British Columbia and belongs to the ruling Liberal Party of Canada. He has become the tenth Liberal MP to face action under the conflict of interest legislation.
Former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau had also faced penalties under the same law in the past.
Opposition calls fine too small
Opposition leaders have criticised the penalty, calling it insufficient. They argue that the 200-dollar fine is too small to act as a deterrent.
Some opposition MPs have demanded that penalties under the law be increased significantly, suggesting fines in the range of 20,000 to 50,000 Canadian dollars.
