OTTAWA — The Commons ethics watchdog says there are checks and balances in place to allow Canadian executives to temporarily serve the federal government.

Onex Corp.'s Nigel Wright will be joining the Prime Minister's Office as Stephen Harper's chief of staff later this fall.

Reports say he will be returning to his position at the private equity investment company after 18 months.

The opposition parties have complained Wright has too many potential conflicts of interest through his business activities, particularly with regard to the aerospace industry.

But Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson says the arrangement is not unheard of.

She says measures can be put in place to ensure Wright does not enter into any discussions or decisions about topics that he might represent a conflict.

She is currently reviewing with Wright his various positions and investments, but points out that he has not officially been appointed yet.