Ethics committee to probe Justin Trudeau's vacation in Jamaica
The opposition believes the prime minister was bribed.
The Canadian House of Representatives Ethics Committee has decided to invite an expert on the subject, Konrad von Finckenstein. The ethics commissioner will testify on the rules for accepting gifts and organizing travel. Based on his expertise, Ottawa is going to make a decision on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent vacation in Jamaica.
Von Finckenstein will speak after Parliament and committees resume at the end of January. Michael Barrett, the Conservative Party's ethics critic, has expressed a desire to know whether the commissioner was aware of the details of Trudeau's free stay at a family friend's villa.
Vacation in a villa
The Trudeau family vacationed at an estate owned by businessman Peter Green, an old family friend. A stay there according to rough estimates may have cost in excess of CA$ 80,000. Barrett suggests that the offer of accommodation constitutes a significant gift and raises questions about compliance with the Conflict of Interest Act.
Trudeau himself (or rather his press service) emphasize that the Prime Minister returned all the money spent from the budget for the flight, as on all previous occasions.
Opinion of other MPs
Liberal lawmakers supported the commissioner's call, expressing a desire to publicly clarify the rules. New Democrats also expressed interest in expanding the scope of the investigation to consider whether the rules should be adjusted.
The investigation was triggered by the opposition's formal request to the conflict of interest and ethics commissioner last week. Barrett, in his letter, expressed concern about Trudeau's erratic reporting on the cost of his vacations.
The commissioner's Office of Conflict of Interest and Ethics confirmed the consultation before the furlough, but specific details were not disclosed. The hearing could lead to a more detailed breakdown of those issues. The law states that no public employee may accept any gift that could be used to influence him or her. The law makes some exceptions for family and friends.
