Canada's Trudeau 'sorry' Over Controversial Charity Contract
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published July 14, 2020 | 01:50 AM
Ottawa, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jul, 2020 ) :Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized Monday for not recusing himself from discussions about a government contract to a charity that had paid his family large sums of money for speaking appearances.
"I made a mistake not recusing myself immediately from the discussions, given our family's history. And I'm sincerely sorry," Trudeau told a news conference.
His apology came amid opposition demands for an investigation into a CAN$900 million (USD $662 million) contract awarded by the government to development and youth advocacy organization WE Charity.
The NGO has admitted paying nearly CAN $300,000 to Trudeau's mother, brother and wife for speaking engagements.
Trudeau himself admitted to taking part in negotiations with the charity over the contract.
He said he knew his mother Margaret worked for WE as an advocate on mental health issues but didn't know the "details." "I didn't know the details of how much she was getting paid by various organizations, but I should have and I deeply regret that," he said.
On Sunday, Canada's opposition Conservative Party said it would ask Trudeau to testify under oath before the House of Commons finance committee about the contract.
"Either the PM can agree voluntarily to show up and attend -- that's what he will do if he has nothing to hide -- or parliament can compel him to appear," Conservative lawmaker Pierre Poilievre said.
The episode is already under investigation by the country's ethics watchdog, and marks the third time in as many years that Trudeau has found himself at the center of an ethics firestorm.
The ethics commissioner has already released two reports concluding that Trudeau violated the Conflict of Interest Act: in 2017, for taking a vacation on the Aga Khan's private island, and last year for trying to influence legal proceedings in the SNC-Lavalin case, in which a subsidiary of the engineering company was accused of paying bribes to secure contracts in Libya.
WE Charity has said it was withdrawing from the $900 million Federal program, which provides grants of up to $5,000 to eligible students for volunteer work with non-profit organizations during the coronavirus pandemic.
It had hired more than 450 contract workers, according to the Toronto Star, and is now forced to lay them off.
Trudeau said he was "really disappointed in myself," adding: "I think Canadians will make their judgments about what we were trying to do and what I should have done.""But at the same time, we're going to keep focusing on delivering for Canadians so we can get through this pandemic, come back with a stronger economy, while at the same time, we make sure that vulnerable Canadians and young people have greater opportunities than they had before," he said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
Mirpur Police arrest 68 suspects of food outlet attack
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
13 hours ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
4 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
5 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
5 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
8 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
11 days ago
-
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
12 days ago -
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
13 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
13 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
13 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
15 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
15 days ago