It's become a depressing pattern -- one ethics violation after another. Now we must process the WE controversy. Susan Delacourt writes:
The newest [violation] is Trudeau’s connection to the WE charity, hand-picked by his own government to dole out nearly $1 billion in pandemic-relief efforts for students: a choice that has since gone from reversal to regrets to really big trouble.
It’s not the first time things have gone so badly this way for Trudeau and that’s the baffling thing.
If this was a binge-watching series, viewers would have seen the hints in previous seasons.
First there is the denial and doubling-down.
Then there is the retraction, accompanied by revelations that things are worse than originally reported.
Then comes the prime minister’s promise to do better.
But, after awhile, the promises ring hollow. And the money keeps piling up in privileged pockets:
Thanks to revelations by CBC and Canadaland, we now know that Margaret Trudeau received $250,000 in honorariums for speaking at 28 WE events between 2016 and 2020.
Alexandre Trudeau, or Sacha, as he’s known, was paid $32,000 in speaking fees between 2017 and 2018.
That kind of behaviour is totally self-destructive -- not just for Trudeau but for Canadians in general. It's clear that the Conservatives don't know how to handle the pandemic. But Justin's nonchalance about ethics will put the Conservatives in the driver's seat.
The pile-up will be horrific.
Image: ClubLexus
14 comments:
Couldn't agree more. This is ethics strike three for JT - Aga Khan, SNC-Lavalin, and now WE.
It starts with the very bad decision to outsource a basic government function, the administration of one of its programmes. Governments should administer their own programmes so FOIA requests can be made to hold them accountable. So the obvious question is what are they trying to hide?
It gets worse when we find out that this was a sole-source, untendered contract given to an outfit with considerable ties to the Trudeau family. There's no spinning this, Trudeau should have recused himself from any involvement in the decision.
Cap
Put simply, Cap, it was a monumentally stupid mistake.
Despite our rallying behind the government during our pandemic, Owen, it is always wise to remember that old Liberal affliction: an arrogant sense of entitlement.
My reaction as this latest business unfolded was "again?"
When you present yourself as virtuous as Caesar's wife and then get yourself snarled in one scandal after another and again, how can you not be seen, at best, as an untrustworthy embarrassment?
He could have done great things. The country was ready for change. Now it's plain he's not the one to deliver what we need.
They change their leaders, Lorne. But the disease never dies.
Lorne hit the nail on the head. The problem is that Trudeau is simply arrogant, perhaps sociopathic. He keeps getting caught but continues his unethical behaviours, seemingly not caring.
GDN
It's disappointing, Mound. He knows what needs to be done. But people don't trust him to do it.
I would have been happy just to work and earn $32,000 between 2017/18 let alone for just talking.
That's a lot of money for just talking, zoombats.
I really don't care if Trudeaus' Mom and Brother and being paid to speak at events even if the event is partially paid for by the feds. Just about every body gets a fee to speak these days. How do you think the Clintons got so wealthy so fast?
Some may consider it a conflict of interest, but get a grip, do you really think WE got the money just because family members speak at the events and are paid?
Too many people are spending time on things which in the grand scheme of things don't matter.
The Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of family status. If these organizations paid others and not the relatives of Trudeau they would, in my opinion, have reason to file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
If it can be proven WE only gets money because Mom and Brother are paid, that is one thing, but there is no evidence of that. Get over your self righteous selves and find something more important to deal with. You want "favoritism, etc.+ have a look at how contracts are awarded in municipalities, provinces, cities, etc.
The problem, e.a.f, is that Margaret and Alexandre get the speaking jobs because of who they are. They are relatives of the prime minister. Most Canadians are not given financial benefits because they are relatives of the prime minister.
Unethical, yes, GDN. But sociopathic is stretching it. That adjective applies to Mr. Trump.
What else should we expect from a immature privilege brat?
Sadly those who are elected are reflection on those that elected them.
TB
The old adage is still true, TB. We get the government we deserve.
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