MNI POLICY: Trudeau: Should Have Recused From Charity Contract

--Liberal Government Needs Opposition Support to Stay in Power

By Greg Quinn

     OTTAWA (MNI) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday his

decision to approve a CAD900 million contract for a youth charity was a mistake

because of his family's financial ties to the organization, his first major

comments on an issue that endangers the stability of his minority government.

     Trudeau said he should have stayed out of any consideration of a contract

for the WE Charity that was recommended by public servants. He also knew his

family had been involved with the group but not the amounts they had been paid.

Media reports over the past week have revealed speaking fees for Trudeau's

mother and brother worth more than a quarter million dollars.

     "I should have known the details, and I regret that," he said of the

payments to family members at a press conference. "I should have recused myself.

Canadians will make their judgments."

     The contract to create student volunteer positions has since been canceled.

The Bloc Quebecois party has asked Trudeau to step aside during an ethics

investigation and the Conservatives have asked police if a criminal

investigation is warranted. 

     Trudeau has been investigated twice before by parliament's ethics officer

and found to have violated guidelines. 

     The Bloc, Conservatives and the smaller NDP opposition party would likely

all have to defeat the Liberals on a confidence vote to force an election.

That's unlikely in the short term with Parliament on summer break, the

Conservatives in the middle of a leadership race and the nation still fighting

Covid-19.

--MNI Ottawa Bureau; +1 613-314-9647; email: greg.quinn@marketnews.com

--MNI Washington Bureau; +1 202-371-2121; email: jean.yung@marketnews.com

[TOPICS: M$C$$$,MC$$$$]