Close X
Sunday, November 10, 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

CRA has fired 185 employees for 'inappropriately' claiming COVID-19 CERB benefits

CRA has fired 185 employees for 'inappropriately' claiming COVID-19 CERB benefits
The Canada Revenue Agency says 185 employees have been fired to date for claiming a federal COVID-19 benefit when they were not eligible for it. That's an increase of 65 since the CRA last updated the public on its review in September. 

CRA has fired 185 employees for 'inappropriately' claiming COVID-19 CERB benefits

BC company forfeits 10M to Province

BC company forfeits 10M to Province
A B-C company has forfeited 10 million dollars to the province over allegations it provided payment services for people around the world who ran scams aimed at elderly seniors.  Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says a settlement agreement with PacNet Services is the largest such confiscation in the history of its civil forfeiture program.   

BC company forfeits 10M to Province

Ban on single-use-plastic bags, straws or utensils in stores & restaurants starting tomorrow

Ban on single-use-plastic bags, straws or utensils in stores & restaurants starting tomorrow
Shoppers should expect to see no single-use-plastic bags, straws or utensils in stores and restaurants starting tomorrow, as new federal single-use plastics rules take effect.  Cities like Vancouver and Victoria have already have their own rules in place.

Ban on single-use-plastic bags, straws or utensils in stores & restaurants starting tomorrow

Travellers can expect busy days at YVR

Travellers can expect busy days at YVR
Vancouver International Airport is reminding travellers to plan ahead as it’s expecting its busiest travel days for December this week.  Y-V-R says from today to December 26th, close to 70-thousand passengers will be travelling through the airport per day to 97 destinations.  

Travellers can expect busy days at YVR

Woman charged in 1st degree murder: Delta Police

Woman charged in 1st degree murder: Delta Police
Police in Delta say a woman has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of another woman earlier this week. They say officers went to a home in the city's Ladner neighbourhood around 5 p-m Monday and discovered a body.   

Woman charged in 1st degree murder: Delta Police

One arrested in B.C. police operation near three North Vancouver schools

One arrested in B.C. police operation near three North Vancouver schools
One suspect has been arrested in a police operation in North Vancouver that delayed the start of three area schools. RCMP say officers responded to a report of an assault at around 5 a.m. Tuesday inside a home in the 1,000 block of Lytton Street.

One arrested in B.C. police operation near three North Vancouver schools