Power’s money | The Journal of Montreal

When the power of money meets too closely the money of power, it never ends very well. The scandal surrounding the close proximity between Justin Trudeau, his finance minister Bill Morneau and the UNIS Movement (WE Charity) is a perfect illustration of this.

In 2017, multimillionaire Bill Morneau was paid for two family trips by UNIS. Total: $ 41,000. Without even, he swears without laughing, noticing it. He and his family subsequently donated $ 100,000 to UNIS.

Under Prime Minister Trudeau, UNIS, to whom he and his family are very close – some members having even been paid by UNIS for conferences – was awarded a mega public contract of $ 900 million to run a volunteer program student.

Result: For the third time, Justin Trudeau is the subject of an investigation by the Ethics Commissioner. The Conservatives are calling for the resignation of Bill Morneau and an investigation.

Nothing in this story smells of roses. Messrs Trudeau and Morneau, too accustomed to rich, famous and influential friends – after all, alike, flock together – never saw the slightest trace of a possible conflict of interest.

Great friendships

This latest “scandal” is however a faithful illustration of the pernicious liberal culture of “everything is owed to me”. The very same one that the Gomery commission noted on the sponsorship scandal under Jean Chrétien.

It also bears witness to the risk of squandering public funds when too great friendships link elected officials to influential lobbies in search of lucrative contracts.

In this, it also reminds us of the legendary cry from the heart heard at the hearings of the Charbonneau commission: “A boyfriend is a boyfriend! ”

In short, it is the meeting of the power of money and the money of power.

When a Prime Minister and a Minister of Finance so frivolously place themselves at risk of conflicts of interest, apparent or real, the ethical problem is troubling.

A (very) lucky man

The problem is broader. In 2018, according to the federal ethics commissioner, 73 elected federal officials from all parties accepted in 2017 for more than $ 600,000 in travel expenses “covered” by local or foreign organizations.

Year after year, this practice is “legal” for “backbench” Members of Parliament, as long as they report it after the fact to the Ethics Commissioner. The risk of conflicts of interest for elected officials is however obvious.

In reality, however, Prime Minister Trudeau, even in a minority, is a lucky man. Despite the current scandal, the Conservatives are still looking for a leader and the NDP is in tatters.

Justin Trudeau is also benefiting from the positive effect of the multiple support measures he has announced for Canadians since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

This does not mean, on the other hand, that it is not exhausting part of its political capital.

Only time will tell.

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