Former parliamentary watchdog says Trudeau has ‘blind spot’ on ethics

In late June, Mario Dion, the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner began an investigation into the role Trudeau played in the decision of the government to choose WE charity as the organization to manage the distribution of $900 million for a summer student grant program. The investigation was launched because the charity has known ties to the Trudeau family.

The federal government has since split from the organization on the project.

"One doesn't continue to do the same thing twice," Mary Dawson said when speaking to CBC. "There seems to be a little bit of a blind spot or something there."

WE charity held a number of WE DAY events that featured Trudeau and his mother who spoke at the events. Trudeau’s wife, Sophie also hosts a podcast for "WE Well-being."

The Charity also previously maintained that Trudeau’s family members did not receive payment for their appearance at WE events, though Sophie Trudeau was reimbursed for her travelling expenses.

Last week, it came to light that—after speaking at 28 events—Trudeau’s mother received roughly $250,000. Trudeau’s brother Alexandre also was paid approximately $32,000 for speaking at eight events.

Angus wrote to Dion on Wednesday, notifying him that all MPs were previously warned that there could possibly be a conflict of interest when it came to choose organizations that were "ready and willing to hire students who had been displaced because of the COVID crisis."

"If MP offices were made aware of the conflict of interest obligations regarding the recommendations for small projects, how is it possible that such obligations were not explained to the prime minister and finance minister as they made their decisions over such a massive outlay of funds?" asked Angus.

Charlie Angus, an NDP MP and Michael Barrett, a Conservative MP each wrote to Dion's office requesting that Trudeau's involvement in the contract be examined. The letters and the launching of the investigation took place before it was known that the charity paid Trudeau’s family members.

"We know now that there's family that will benefit, that potentially have a beneficial situation with the person that got the contract," said Dawson. "There's the question of the extent to which Mr. Trudeau himself had a relationship, and all that has to be looked into."

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki requested that the Mounties look into the student grant program along with other federal grants received by WE, after the payments to Trudeau’s family became public. WE has received $5 million in contributions and federal grants since 2017.

"I encourage the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to investigate the possibility of criminal offences arising from these disturbing facts. You and the very able members of the national police force possess the necessary skills, expertise and tools to get to the bottom of this," said Barrett in the letter.

When the news broke, Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet requested that the Prime Minister step aside and allow Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland to take the reins while he continues to be examined.

Blanchet said he believes Trudeau and the finance minister should answer questions before parliamentary committees, but does not support a police investigation.

"We cannot order a police investigation like it was a pizza. It does not work that way," he said. "Police will make its own decision about an investigation, an inquiry or not. The last thing that we want over and above what we are seeing is for political parties to order investigations."