Trudeau apologizes for not recusing himself from decision

TORONTO — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized Monday for not recusing himself from a Cabinet decision to award a contract to a charity his family did paid work for.

Trudeau announced last month a grant for students having trouble finding work due to the pandemic.

The almost billion-dollar program came under scrutiny after it was revealed that We Charity, an organization Trudeau’s family has worked for, was chosen to administer it. Trudeau’s wife, brother and mother have been paid a combined $300,000 Canadian (US$221,000) for speaking at a number of WE events.

“I made a mistake in not recusing immediately from the discussions, given our family’s history,” Trudeau said. “The mistake we made was on me. I take responsibility for it.”

Canada’s ethics commissioner in investigating Trudeau over the matter. It is the third ethics investigation Trudeau has faced.