Other politicians joined Trudeau on controversial vacation: report
Posted January 11, 2017 10:59 am.
Last Updated January 11, 2017 12:41 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA, ON. (NEWS 1130) – When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a controversial vacation to the Aga Khan’s private island in the Bahamas over the holidays, it appears he wasn’t the only politician on the guest list.
There are new reports surfacing that Liberal MP Seamus O’Regan and Federal Liberal Party President Anna Gainey, along with their respective spouses, joined the prime minister on the vacation.
Before the story broke earlier this week, Trudeau was asked if there were any other politicians on the trip but he wouldn’t say. “This is our family vacation and I will answer any other questions that the Ethics Commissioner has for me.”
A Conservative Party leadership candidate has complained to the commissioner, claiming this may breach the Conflict of Interest Act, since the vacation could be seen as a gift from a lobbyist. The Aga Khan’s foundation has received tens of millions of dollars from Ottawa over the past dozen years and Trudeau has called him a close friend of his family.
The commissioner’s office confirms it has received the complaint and says it is considering the request.
As an MP O’Regan falls under different ethics rules but told one media outlet he already talked to the commissioner about the trip and is reimbursing the Aga Khan for the cost of a helicopter ride to the private island.
Trudeau’s office also says he is reimbursing taxpayers for the cost of the flight down to the Bahamas.
