Hussen defends contract linked to staffer’s sister, won’t rule out rehiring firm

Housing Minister Ahmed Hussen says his office followed all the rules when ithired a firm with family ties to a staffer working in his office.

He also said he was happy with the services and, when asked, did not rule out hiring the firm in the future and said again that he was happy with the services.

Members of Parliament are allowed and permitted to pay for services, including communications services, Hussen said,speaking to Global Newsoutside the federal governments cabinet retreat on Thursday.

We followed all the rules of the financial management office of the House of Commons, as well as checking with the Office of the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Commissioner and all the services have been publicly disclosed.

Story continues below advertisement

Global News reported Thursday that Hussens office awarded $93,050 in communications contracts toMunch More Media, a Toronto-based firm focused on the food and restaurant industry. The taxpayer funds came from his constituency office budget, not his ministerial budget.