Close X
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
ADVT 
National

Justin Trudeau Shrugs Off Law Firm's Private Fundraiser Featuring Attorney General

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Apr, 2016 12:11 PM
    MONTREAL — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is dismissing concerns over his attorney general attending a private Liberal party fundraiser this week hosted by a Bay Street law firm that's registered to lobby her.
     
    Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould is the star attraction at Thursday night's $500-a-head, invitation-only soiree at the Torys LLP firm in downtown Toronto.
     
    "Please join us for a private evening in support of the Liberal Party of Canada with the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould," says the invitation.
     
    Lobbyist registry records show that at least one Torys LLP lawyer is actively registered to lobby Wilson-Raybould on the issue of corporate and mutual fund tax law.
     
    Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has just barred her cabinet members from attending private fundraisers, following embarrassing revelations that ministers were expected to raise up to $500,000 annually for the provincial Liberal party — a task that often entailed perceived conflicts of interest.
     
    Ontario, like British Columbia, does not have limits on how much corporations and unions can contribute to party coffers, setting up scenarios in which massive donations coupled with private access to political leaders raises a multitude of concerns.
     
    Trudeau, speaking Wednesday in Montreal, noted that union and corporate donations are forbidden under the rules for federal political parties, while donations by individuals are strictly limited to about $1,500 annually.
     
    "The federal government and the Liberal Party of Canada has very, very strict rules around fundraising," said Trudeau.
     
    He also applauded Wynne's decision to ban her cabinet members from attending private fundraisers, but failed to address the question of whether Wilson-Raybould's Toronto event presents a potential conflict of interest.
     
    "There are a number of provinces that still have work to do in terms of demonstrating public trust and I think banning union and corporate donations, as we have done at the federal level, is an important step that different provinces should consider."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger Faces Legislature With April Election Looming

    Manitoba's troubled NDP government will face the opposition in the legislature for a short winter sitting starting today, as the province's April 19 election looms ever closer.

    Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger Faces Legislature With April Election Looming

    South Surrey Woman Recovering After Deck Collapse That Sent Her Sliding Into 16 Metre Ravine

    South Surrey Woman Recovering After Deck Collapse That Sent Her Sliding Into 16 Metre Ravine
    Unnamed victim was on a deck at the back of a home in south Surrey when the deck collapsed into the ravine below.

    South Surrey Woman Recovering After Deck Collapse That Sent Her Sliding Into 16 Metre Ravine

    Indian-Origin Man Parmpal Gill Arrested In Brampton, Ont. For Alleged Gun-Point Threatening

    Parmpal Gill, 32 was arrested on Monday after he picked up a quarrel with a 20-year old man over their business in the area of Cadetta Road and Highway 50 in Brampton

    Indian-Origin Man Parmpal Gill Arrested In Brampton, Ont. For Alleged Gun-Point Threatening

    Police Identify Woman Found In Surrey, B.C.

    Police Identify Woman Found In Surrey, B.C.
    The woman was found on Monday at about 4 p.m. near 180th Street and 66A Avenue, in the North Cloverdale West neighbourhood.

    Police Identify Woman Found In Surrey, B.C.

    Surrey named among World’s Top 7 Intelligent Communities again

    The fourteenth annual Top7 list includes cities from four nations. Montreal and Winnipeg are the other Canadian cities to make the list and the remaining communities are from Germany, Taiwan, and New Zealand. 

    Surrey named among World’s Top 7 Intelligent Communities again

    International Tourism To B.C. Increasing, With France In Lead

    International Tourism To B.C. Increasing, With France In Lead
    It says tourism to B.C. from France jumped by 33 per cent in 2014 compared to the previous year.

    International Tourism To B.C. Increasing, With France In Lead