Julie Couillard's past links to organized crime never came up in former foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier's background checks, the prime minister's national security adviser told the Commons public safety committee Tuesday.

Julie Couillard is seen in this August 2007 file photo accompanying Maxime Bernier to a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)Margaret Bloodworth told MPs there was no need to alert the prime minister or check out media "speculation" because Bernier had passed a background check in early April — only one month before news broke about his former girlfriend's past.

She noted a background check was also completed on Bernier prior to his appointment to cabinet in February 2006.

"In neither case were issues raised by the various agencies involved in the process," Bloodworth told the committee.

Since the RCMP did not alert her to any security concerns, Bloodworth said, she did nothing.

When Liberal committee member Ujjal Dosanjh asked if there were any "red flags" raised in the Prime Minister's Office surrounding Bernier's former girlfriend, Bloodworth replied she still doesn't know of any security concerns surrounding Couillard.

"I know only what I read in the papers, and with due respect, we don't make decisions based on speculation in the media," she said.

Bloodworth acknowledged that the background checks for cabinet ministers do not extend to their spouses, immediate family or romantic partners.

Outside the committee hearing, Dosanjh said he was "dumbfounded" that no one in the government or its security apparatus was alerted to Couillard's past ties to Quebec biker gangs.

"Either there's a huge coverup underway or they're all incompetent," he said.

Couillard's mother hired by government

Bernier resigned from cabinet late last month after admitting he'd left classified documents at Couillard's Montreal home for weeks.

On Tuesday, representatives of the RCMP will return for more questioning by the committee.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that Couillard's mother, a hospital fundraiser, was herself subjected to a background check when she was appointed to a federal employment insurance tribunal.

Diane Bellemare got the job — which the opposition claims could pay up to $50,000 a year — while her daughter was dating Bernier.

During Tuesday's question period, government House leader Peter Van Loan defended the hiring of Bellemare, saying she passed "rigorous" security checks and was more than qualified for the position.

"She, of course, was found acceptable by the Human Resources public servants who examined her and spoke to her about her background and understanding in the employment insurance system," Van Loan told the House.

Van Loan did not answer repeated opposition questions about whether Bernier had recommended Bellemare for the post or been present when cabinet approved the appointment.

With files from the Canadian Press