The sister-in-law of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc has been named interim ethics commissioner which has upset the Conservatives.

The Liberals are defending the appointment of Martine Richard who will serve in the role for six months.

In a heated exchange in the House of Commons this week, Conservative MP Michael Barrett accused the government of breaking the rules.

“These are the Liberals. The Intergovernmental Affairs Minister – the new ethics commissioner’s brother-in-law – was found guilty of breaking the ethics act.”

In 2018, Dominic LeBlanc violated conflict of interest rules when he awarded a lucrative Arctic surf clam licence to a company linked to his wife’s cousin.

Government house leader Mark Holland said Richard is a career public servant who has worked in the department for ten years.

“She will be acting in an interim capacity while we work with all parties collaboratively to find the right individual to be the permanent ethics commissioner.”

Holland added Richard has worked in the office since the Harper government was in power..