On Parliament Hill

We learned this week that Mary Dawson, the federal Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, has launched an investigation into Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s lavish holiday on a private island in the Bahamas.

The fact that the Prime Minister took a winter vacation is not the issue. However, the circumstances surrounding his trip and who paid for it, certainly is of interest to the Commissioner and to Canadians across the country.

Several media outlets revealed last week that the Prime Minister vacationed with a Liberal MP and his husband and the Liberal Party President and her husband on the private Bahamian island belonging to the Aga Khan. This may not have been a concern if not for the fact that Mr. Trudeau accepted free transportation to the island on the Aga Khan’s private helicopter and the fact that the Aga Khan’s foundation lobbies and receives millions in funding from the federal government.

To everyone watching, this is an obvious conflict of interest. As Prime Minister, you simply do not accept free holidays from the leader of an organization that benefits from Government of Canada funding. Justin Trudeau seems unable to grasp this simple concept and this brings his judgement into question. All he had to do was say no. But he didn’t.

It is also possible that he did, in fact, recognize the conflict, but simply believes that laws only apply to others.

Whatever the reason, his office certainly worked diligently to withhold the information regarding his whereabouts during the holidays.

Justin Trudeau may have had a nice break over the holidays, but Canadians need a break as well. While our Prime Minister enjoys his lavish lifestyle, Canadians are increasingly focused on trying to pay their bills and save for retirement. They face a future of stagnant wage growth and higher taxes.

It’s time for Justin Trudeau to start putting the interests of everyday Canadians ahead of his own. That’s what a good leader does.