Skip to Main content

17.77°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

May 13, 2021 5:38 PM -

Ethics watchdog: PM didn't violate conflict rules over WE Charity, but Morneau did

Share On

ethics-watchdog-pm-didnt-violate-conflict-rules-over-we-charity-but-morneau-did

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not breach the Conflict of Interest Act over failing to recuse himself from cabinet discussions to have WE Charity operate a federal student-volunteer program, Canada's ethics watchdog say in a report released Thursday.

In a separate report, federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion found that former finance minister Bill Morneau did violate the rules and should have recused himself.

He says Morneau ``gave WE preferential treatment by permitting his ministerial staff to disproportionately assist it when it sought federal funding.''

Dion says he was asked to investigate Morneau by several MPs because of what some believed to be close ties between his family and the charity, founded by brothers Marc and Craig Kielburger.

He found Craig Kielburger fell under his office's definition of a friend to Morneau, which meant the former minister should have known it created the potential for conflict.

Dion says during Morneau's participation in discussions around the student-volunteer program he ``placed himself in a conflict of interest on several occasions.''

Latest news

WorldAug 26, 2026

15 Newborn Babies Killed in Fire at Islamabad Hospital Nursery

Fifteen newborn babies died after a fire broke out in the nursery of the gynaecology ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad on Wednesday. Hospital officials said 16 newborns were present in the nursery when the incident occurred, but only one baby was rescued. According to rescue officials, an air-conditioner compressor inside the nursery exploded, triggering a fire that quickly spread through the ward. Rescue teams rushed to the hospital after receiving information about the blaze and launched a rescue operation. Officials said the fire has now been brought under cont

AlbertaAug 26, 2026

16-year-old arrested after threats to shoot students at northern Alberta school

A 16-year-old youth has been arrested in northern Alberta after allegedly threatening to shoot students at a school just days before the start of the new academic year. RCMP officers said they received a report in Manning about a student threatening to shoot other students on the first day of school. After nearly six days of investigation, Mounties executed a search warrant at a local residence on Tuesday. During the search, police seized seven weapons. RCMP said the 16-year-old is expected to face a charge related to uttering threats, subject to Crown approval. Manning RCMP Sgt. Gavin Ool sai

womans-body-found-after-fire-at-delta-farm-investigation-underway

Woman’s body found after fire at Delta farm, investigation underway

A woman’s body was found at a farm in Delta after a fire broke out early Wednesday morning, with police now investigating the circumstances surrounding her death. According to a brief statement from the Delta Police Department, officers were called to a farm in the 6400-block of River Road at around 6:10 a.m. after receiving a report of a fire and a deceased woman. The area is located just south of the Fraser River, near the Deas Slough Bridge. Investigators are working to confirm the woman’s identity and determine the cause and circumstances of her death. Police are currently treating the

eby-takes-aim-at-b-c-conservatives-internal-revolt-calls-party-a-centre-of-chaos

Eby takes aim at B.C. Conservatives’ internal revolt, calls party a ‘centre of chaos’

B.C. Premier David Eby has sharply criticized the ongoing political turmoil within the opposition B.C. Conservative Party, calling it a “centre of chaos” while ruling out the possibility of an early provincial election. Eby’s comments came after four B.C. Conservative MLAs recently resigned from the party amid growing tensions and dissatisfaction with the leadership. Taking aim at Conservative Leader Karin Kirkpatrick, Eby described the B.C. Conservatives as a far-right party and questioned how British Columbians could place their trust in a party when its own MLAs are unable to stand be

major-blow-to-b-c-conservatives-as-two-mlas-quit-party

Major Blow to B.C. Conservatives as Two MLAs Quit Party

Two B.C. Conservative MLAs, Rosalyn Bird of Prince George-Valemount and Teresa Wat of Richmond-Bridgeport, have resigned from the party and will now sit as independent members in the legislature. The departures mark the fourth major setback for the party in just 12 days under the leadership of Kerry-Lyn Findlay. Both Bird and Wat have expressed dissatisfaction with Findlay’s leadership and the way the party has been operating. Earlier, two senior MLAs, Ian Paton and Peter Milobar, also left the party after raising concerns about Findlay’s leadership and her approach to running the party. T

Related News

Eby takes aim at B.C. Conservatives’ internal revolt, calls party a ‘centre of chaos’

Eby takes aim at B.C. Conservatives’ internal revolt, calls party a ‘centre of chaos’

B.C. Premier David Eby has sharply criticized the ongoing political turmoil within the opposition B.C. Conservative Party, calling it a “centre of chaos” while ruling out the possibility of an early provincial election. Eby’s comments came after four B.C. Conservative MLAs recently resigned from the party amid growing tensions and dissatisfaction with the leadership. Taking aim at Conservative Leader Karin Kirkpatrick, Eby described the B.C. Conservatives as a far-right party and questioned how British Columbians could place their trust in a party when its own MLAs are unable to stand be

24 Canadians Missing as Floods and Landslides Hit Nepal-Tibet Border Region

24 Canadians Missing as Floods and Landslides Hit Nepal-Tibet Border Region

Twenty-four Canadian citizens are reported missing after floods and landslides struck parts of the Nepal-Tibet border region, according to figures cited by Nepalese officials. Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Office said 95 people have died on the Nepal side of the disaster. Chinese state media reported three deaths and 265 people missing in Tibet’s Gyirong County. Nepal Tourism Board spokesperson Sunil Sharma said 403 foreign tourists are reported missing. The group includes 133 Indian nationals, 47 Americans, 34 Australians, 33 British nationals and 24 Canadians. Many of the tourists were trav

41-Year-Old Punjabi Man Satwant Soni Sangha Killed in Downtown Toronto

41-Year-Old Punjabi Man Satwant Soni Sangha Killed in Downtown Toronto

A 41-year-old Punjabi man, Satwant “Sonny” Sangha, has been identified as the victim of a homicide in downtown Toronto. According to the Toronto Police Service, officers responded to a call about a sudden death at around 1:43 a.m. on August 21, 2026, in the area of McGill Street and Church Street. Police attended a residence where a male victim was found deceased.  An autopsy was later conducted, and signs of trauma were found on Sangha’s body. Following the autopsy findings, the death was classified as a homicide. Police have identified the victim as Satwant “Sonny” Sangha, 41, o

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital