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PM under investigation for possible ethics violation over Bahamas trip

Posted in Featured, Talking Politics

Published on January 20, 2017 with No Comments

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under investigation for a holiday he took on a private island belonging to a billionaire spiritual leader.

Canada’s federal conflict-of-interest and ethics office said it was probing whether the visit to the island, which took place over the new year, broke rules preventing ministers from accepting bribes. Trudeau is reported to have said that he was “more than happy” to answer the commissioner’s questions.

The island is owned by Prince Shah Karim Al Hussaini Aga Khan – leader to the world’s 15 million Ismaili Muslims. He also heads a foundation that is a registered lobbyist that has received hundred of millions in grants from the federal government in recent decades

The 71-year-old is a close family friend of the Canadian Prime Minister and was an honorary pallbearer at the funeral of Mr Trudeau’s father, Pierre. Prime Minister Trudeau was accompanied on the trip to the billionaire’s island by his family and two fellow Liberal politicians: MP Seamus O’Reagan and Party President Anna Gainey. The destination of the visit was initially kept secret, with the Prime Minister’s office claimingit was necessary to protect the Trudeau family’s privacy.

But after news of the location leaked,  Trudeau went on the record about the vacation, admitting using the Aga Khan’s private helicopter. Trudeau defended the secrecy shrouding the visit at a press conference: “This was our personal family vacation and the questions you’re asking, I allow you to reflect on them.”

Yet the helicopter ride the prime minister admitted to taking may violate rules introduced underhis own leadership, which bans government ministers from accepting sponsored travel on private aircraft without permission from the ethics commissioner.

The Canadian leader is also under investigation for separate allegations that he broke conflict-of-interest laws by attending Liberal Party fundraisers where small groups met with him after making 1,500 Canadian dollar (£946) donations.

 

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