Trudeau to face probe

OTTAWA: Canada’s ethics watchdog is to investigate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after a contract to manage a major government program was awarded to a charity with links to his family.

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion said he had “informed” Mr Trudeau of the decision.

Mr Trudeau’s government had announced in late June that it was awarding WE Charity the management of the $900 million federal program, which provides grants of up to $5000 to eligible students for volunteer work with non-profit organisations during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Trudeau, his wife and his mother were all at one time or another invited as speakers by WE Charity, which has since withdrawn.