Former Conservative MP Chuck Strahl is stepping down as chair of the Security Intelligence Review Committee following an uproar over revelations that he recently registered as a lobbyist for the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project. In a statement released to media late Friday afternoon, Strahl said that although he has complied with “all relevant rules and regulations” for ex-MPs, he does “not wish to be in the centre of the political fray. “Nor do I want to be a distraction from the important work SIRC does every day in ensuring the security of Canadians. It is therefore with regret that I have concluded it is best for all concerned that I step down as Chair of SIRC.”
