Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

PMO clarifies Trudeau and family stayed 'at no cost' during vacation in Jamaica

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Jan, 2024 04:08 PM
  • PMO clarifies Trudeau and family stayed 'at no cost' during vacation in Jamaica

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office is clarifying that he and his family are vacationing in Jamaica "at no cost at a location owned by family friends," after initially saying the family was paying for their stay.

The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement on Wednesday that the federal ethics commissioner was consulted "on these details prior to the travel to ensure that the rules were followed." 

The office offered the clarification the day before Trudeau's holiday on the Caribbean island is set to conclude. He is there with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and their three children.

The pair announced last summer that they were separating after 18 years of marriage, with both saying in separate statements that they would remain close. 

Before the family left for Jamaica on Boxing Day, Trudeau's office said it consulted with the ethics commissioner and the family would cover the cost of their stay and reimburse the public for the cost of travelling on a government plane.

"The prime minister continues to reimburse the equivalent of a commercial airline ticket for his personal travel and that of his family," his office said on Wednesday. 

Officials declined to confirm where Trudeau is staying. 

But CBC and Radio-Canada reported last spring that during the family's last New Year's trip to Jamaica, they stayed at a luxury estate owned by Peter Green, whose family has known the Trudeaus for decades. 

The public broadcaster reported at the time that the PMO declined to say whether Trudeau paid for his own accommodation.

Trudeau's travel to the Aga Khan's private island in the Bahamas following Christmas Day in 2016 landed him with a ethics violation for crossing conflict-of-interest rules. 

Former commissioner Mary Dawson ruled that Trudeau's vacation broke the law prohibiting ministers from accepting gifts or "advantages" that could be perceived as trying to influence government business. 

She concluded that the exception that applies if the gift comes from a friend did not apply in that case. Trudeau and the Aga Khan, a friend of his father's, had had little to no contact in the 30 years before his election as Liberal party leader. 

A spokesperson for the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner said on Wednesday that it could not divulge details about what information Trudeau's office provided about the trip, citing the privacy requirements inked into the conflict-of-interest rules. 

"The office has a role only in ensuring that the gift provisions of the act and code are observed," Jocelyne Brisebois said in a written statement. 

"Note that there is an exception in the act that allows a public officer holder to accept gifts or other advantages given by a relative or friend and any such gifts do not require public disclosure."

MORE National ARTICLES

RCMP warn about spike in online extremism among Canadian youth

RCMP warn about spike in online extremism among Canadian youth
The Mounties say five Canadian youth have been arrested in terror-related cases since June. Jewish and Muslim leaders across Canada have reported an increase in hate-motivated attacks since the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7, and the massive military response by Israel in Gaza.

RCMP warn about spike in online extremism among Canadian youth

Powerful gusts over 100 kilometres per hour, steady rain projected to hit East Coast

Powerful gusts over 100 kilometres per hour, steady rain projected to hit East Coast
Ian Hubbard with Environment Canada says strong winds are forecast to begin in southern Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and sweep across the provinces through the day and overnight. The storm is expected to head overnight across the Cabot Strait and into southern Newfoundland, where powerful winds are also expected. Hubbard says the strongest gusts may reach up to 110 km/h and that between 50 to 80 millimetres of rain will fall.

Powerful gusts over 100 kilometres per hour, steady rain projected to hit East Coast

Canada joins EU, Britain, others decrying 'extremist settlers' violence in West Bank

Canada joins EU, Britain, others decrying 'extremist settlers' violence in West Bank
The United Nations says violence in the Israel-occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank has risen at an unprecedented rate since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants prompted Israel to bombard the Gaza Strip. Armed groups living in Israeli settlements, deemed illegal under international law, have attacked Palestinians hundreds of times and forced more than 1,200 to leave their homes.

Canada joins EU, Britain, others decrying 'extremist settlers' violence in West Bank

B.C. transfer station 'intentionally' set ablaze after attempted break-in, city says

B.C. transfer station 'intentionally' set ablaze after attempted break-in, city says
Officials in Cranbrook say the city's transfer station for garbage and recycling was "intentionally" set ablaze by someone who tried to break into the facility overnight. A statement from the Regional District of East Kootenay says the station has reopened after the early morning fire was snuffed out by emergency crews. 

B.C. transfer station 'intentionally' set ablaze after attempted break-in, city says

2 dead in a car crash in Nanaimo

2 dead in a car crash in Nanaimo
Police in Nanaimo say two people are dead after a serious single-vehicle car crash near a rural campground on Saturday morning. Nanaimo R-C-M-P say they arrived just before 9 a-m at the crash site on Nanaimo River Road, about 15 kilometres west of the Trans Canada Highway.   

2 dead in a car crash in Nanaimo

Grinch like thieves stealing Xmas gifts

Grinch like thieves stealing Xmas gifts
The Vancouver Police Department says holiday shoppers should be on the lookout for Grinch-like thieves looking to steal their Christmas gifts.  In a short video posted on social media, the V-P-D says shoppers should be careful about storing gifts in vehicles because criminals are out shopping for opportunities. 

Grinch like thieves stealing Xmas gifts