Hodgson dismisses Tories’ major projects office conflict probe as ‘conspiracy theory’

OTTAWA — Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson accused the Tories today of peddling conspiracy theories as they asked questions about who the Liberals are seconding to work at the government’s major projects office.

Conservative pipeline and energy critics Shannon Stubbs and Carol Anstey pressed the Liberals during question period to disclose which private sector companies have lent employees to the new office.

Hodgson responded three times to the questions, each time saying the Conservatives were focused on conspiracy theories rather than helping the government create jobs.

The government established the major projects office to oversee its agenda to speed up reviews for infrastructure proposals such as pipelines, transmission lines and ports.