Finance Minister Bill Morneau facing Ethics investigation over WE scandal

Finance Minister Bill Morneau is now facing an investigation by the Ethics Commissioner following a complaint from St. Albert-Edmonton MP Michael Cooper and the Carlton MP and Shadow Finance Minister Pierre Poilievre.

The investigation comes as the Trudeau government continues to deal with the fallout of the WE Charity scandal. It has come to light in recent weeks that members of Morneau's family and various members of his government, had or continue to have, close ties with WE.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s daughter was a speaker at WE Day Ottawa, which took place on Nov. 9 2016. She was 17-years-old at the time.

After WE was questioned about whether she received payment for speaking at the event, WE told Canadaland, “No, Clare Morneau was never paid.”

In 2019, Bill Morneau announced that WE charity would receive $3 million in federal funding to support its “social entrepreneurs” program.

The commissioner’s office confirmed the investigation on social media, stating: “Following requests from several parliamentarians, Ethics Commissioner (Mario) Dion will examine the Hon. Bill Morneau under the Conflict of Interest Act (regarding) possible contraventions of subs. 6(1) & s. 21 and has so informed him. A report will be released when the examination is complete.”