Skip to Main content

13.03°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment 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

smith-presses-carney-on-pipeline-agreement-and-project-approvals

CanadaMay 08, 2026

Smith presses Carney on pipeline agreement and project approvals

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on Thursday to discuss federal–provincial energy cooperation and major infrastructure project approvals. Smith said Albertans and industry investors are growing frustrated with delays tied to large-scale projects. She called for an oil pipeline and energy cooperation memorandum of understanding to be finalized within days. According to Smith, some conditions tied to the agreement between the federal and Alberta governments were supposed to be completed by April 1, a deadline that has already passed. She also argued

CanadaMay 08, 2026

Manitoba declares public health emergency over rising HIV cases

The Manitoba government has declared a public health emergency following a sharp rise in HIV cases across the province, marking the first time Manitoba has issued such an emergency declaration related to HIV. According to Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin, the number of reported HIV cases increased from 90 in 2019 to 328 in 2025. Preliminary data for the first quarter of 2026 shows approximately 120 cases, a level health officials describe as concerning. Final figures for 2026 have not yet been released. Provincial health officials said Manitoba’s HIV rate has

canada-post-begins-notifying-residents-of-end-to-door-to-door-mail-delivery

CanadaMay 08, 2026

Canada Post begins notifying residents of end to door-to-door mail delivery

Canada Post has begun sending letters to residents whose homes are expected to lose door-to-door mail delivery as part of a nationwide transition to community mailboxes. In notices sent to customers, the Crown corporation said mail and parcel delivery to residents’ doors will continue for now, but service is expected to shift to community mailboxes by late 2026 or early 2027. According to Canada Post, the change is being introduced as part of efforts to modernize operations and improve the long-term financial sustainability of the postal system. The plan would affect approximately four milli

verdict-expected-in-abbotsford-double-homicide-trial-involving-2022-home-invasion

Verdict expected in Abbotsford double homicide trial involving 2022 home invasion

A B.C. Supreme Court judge is expected to deliver a verdict today in the first-degree murder trial of three men charged in the deaths of an elderly Abbotsford couple during a 2022 home invasion. Court heard during the judge-alone trial that 77-year-old Arnold De Jong died from asphyxiation after his head and face were wrapped in duct tape, while 76-year-old Joanne De Jong was beaten and had her throat slashed. The couple’s bodies were discovered inside their Abbotsford home in May 2022. Abhijeet Singh, Gurkaran Singh and Khushveer Toor, all in their 20s, pleaded not guilty to first-degree mu

canadas-unemployment-rate-rises-to-6-9-in-april-as-full-time-job-losses-mount

CanadaMay 08, 2026

Canada’s unemployment rate rises to 6.9% in April as full-time job losses mount

Canada’s unemployment rate increased to 6.9 per cent in April, according to new data released Friday by Statistics Canada. The figure marks the country’s highest unemployment rate in the past six months. Statistics Canada reported a net loss of 17,700 jobs during the month. Full-time employment saw the sharpest decline, with 46,700 positions lost, while part-time employment increased by 29,000 jobs. The agency said Canada has lost a total of 112,000 jobs during the first four months of 2026. Youth unemployment continued to outpace the national average, rising to 14.3 per cent in April. Eco

Related News

Smith presses Carney on pipeline agreement and project approvals

Smith presses Carney on pipeline agreement and project approvals

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on Thursday to discuss federal–provincial energy cooperation and major infrastructure project approvals. Smith said Albertans and industry investors are growing frustrated with delays tied to large-scale projects. She called for an oil pipeline and energy cooperation memorandum of understanding to be finalized within days. According to Smith, some conditions tied to the agreement between the federal and Alberta governments were supposed to be completed by April 1, a deadline that has already passed. She also argued

Manitoba declares public health emergency over rising HIV cases

Manitoba declares public health emergency over rising HIV cases

The Manitoba government has declared a public health emergency following a sharp rise in HIV cases across the province, marking the first time Manitoba has issued such an emergency declaration related to HIV. According to Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin, the number of reported HIV cases increased from 90 in 2019 to 328 in 2025. Preliminary data for the first quarter of 2026 shows approximately 120 cases, a level health officials describe as concerning. Final figures for 2026 have not yet been released. Provincial health officials said Manitoba’s HIV rate has

Canada Post begins notifying residents of end to door-to-door mail delivery

Canada Post begins notifying residents of end to door-to-door mail delivery

Canada Post has begun sending letters to residents whose homes are expected to lose door-to-door mail delivery as part of a nationwide transition to community mailboxes. In notices sent to customers, the Crown corporation said mail and parcel delivery to residents’ doors will continue for now, but service is expected to shift to community mailboxes by late 2026 or early 2027. According to Canada Post, the change is being introduced as part of efforts to modernize operations and improve the long-term financial sustainability of the postal system. The plan would affect approximately four milli

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital