Canada PM being investigated by federal ethics watchdog over WE Charity contract

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Ottawa, Jul 4 (Canadian-Media): Investigation for Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is is in process for the third time by the federal ethics watchdog, this time for his government’s decision to outsource management of a $900 million COVID-19 student grant program to the WE Charity with links to Trudeau's family, media reports said.

Justin Trudeau. Image credit: Facebook Page

Trudeau and his mother, Margaret, had attended several WE Day events, while Trudeau's wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, is an “ambassador and ally,” as well as hosts a podcast for the group called "WE Well-being." 

Canada government’s decision to outsource the student grant program to the We Charity founded by Craig and Marc Kielburger has been strongly criticized since its announcement on June 25.

The Conservative party of Canada under the leadership of Andrew Scheer had called for an investigation by the auditor general.

Conservative MP and Ethics Critic Michael Barrett had written to the ethics commissioner on June 28 with concerns about the prime minister’s connections to the charity.

Barrett claimed that Trudeau is obliged to recuse himself from any discussion or decision relating to WE Charity, and that Trudeau violated the Act when he announced that WE Charity would administer the Canada Student Service Grant.

Trudeau violated another section of the Act, Barrett alleged, dealing with affording preferential treatment when he said WE Charity was the "only organization" qualified to run the program, when as a matter fact many other national volunteer organizations exist.

It’s the third conflict of interest complaint made by NDP ethics critic Charlie Angus to the watchdog about the Canada's Prime Minister.

Canada's ethics watchdog has also been informed by Angus about two two earlier instances, that of of prime minister’s role in the SNC-Lavalin affair,  and the Trudeau family vacation to the Aga Khan’s private island in 2016, where Trudeau was found in violation of the federal Conflict of Interest Act.