The RCMP is considering the possibility of filing fraud cases against Justin Trudeau after viewing his family’s vacation on the private island of Aga Khan in the Bahamas in 2016, but nuances in the Criminal Code pushed them not to do so. ito.
Federal police eventually decided not to conduct a criminal investigation into Mr. Trudeau, announced a report obtained by the Conservative Party of Canada after an access to information request, its content was first reported daily The Globe and MailMonday, and which CBC was able to consult afterwards.
The trip was also independently reviewed by Values and Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson.
The RCMP’s decision is based on a gray section in the Canadian Criminal Code that allows a prime minister to give himself the right to receive gifts-which would otherwise be illegal and could be fraudulent if received by any member of the government.
A legal ambiguity
The Criminal Code states that no member of the government may accept or solicit gifts or favors from any person. which maintains relations with the government […] unless approved in writing by the head of the employing government branch.
As prime minister, Justin Trudeau’s theory could give himself permission to receive paid vacation on the private island of the Aga Khan. At the time, Justin Trudeau said he would take this controversial trip to his home. friend the Aga Khan, which cost Canadian taxpayers more than $ 215,000.
The RCMP report states that Values and Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson never determined whether written approval was made, and the RCMP did not attempt to locate this exhibit. .
Hot debate in the House
On Monday, during questioning in the House of Commons, Conservative MP James Bezan asked the Liberal Party if Justin Trudeau had given himself a exit the jail card for this journey.
” Has the Prime Minister given himself the power to break the law? He remained silent on the matter. “
Head of Government in the House of Commons, Mark Holland, responded to Conservative criticism by citing the Values and Ethics Commissioner’s report, which concluded that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had placed himself in the interests of conflict by agreeing to remain private by the Aga Khan. island.
This report clarified things. The Prime Minister responded appropriatelyHolland replied, accusing the Conservative opposition of to engage in partisan politics and of to play bringing the five -year -old controversy back to the table.
The RCMP report states that if Commissioner Dawson determined that Justin Trudeau actually violated the Criminal Code, he was it is necessary to inform the authorities.
Since such notice was never sent, the RCMP believes that Mary Dawson does not believe that Mr. may have committed fraud. Trudeau. In her investigation report, Ms. Dawson’s Justin Trudeau violated four sections of the law by vacationing on the private island of the Aga Khan.
As a reminder, police are not required to enforce the findings of a Values and Ethics Commissioner, but the RCMP report states that Mary Dawson’s investigation due consideration.
Source: Radio-Canada
