Trudeau’s Jamaica family trip is facing new scrutiny. Here’s how much it cost
Global News
Justin Trudeau was in Jamaica for vacation with his family over the Christmas holidays from Dec. 26 to Jan. 4, his public itineraries from the time shows.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s week-long family vacation in Jamaica over the winter holidays cost taxpayers at least $162,000, and is drawing criticism that it shows he does not “understand the realities of everyday Canadians” from NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.
The details of Trudeau’s trip were released in documents tabled in the House of Commons last month in response to questions from MPs, but are under renewed scrutiny following a report by CBC/Radio-Canada on Tuesday.
The outlet reported the Trudeau family stayed at a luxurious estate belonging to a wealthy family friend who made a large donation two years ago to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.
Global News has confirmed the costs of the trip but not the details reported by CBC/Radio-Canada around the owner of the property or their donation history to the foundation.
“It’s not about, in my mind, it’s not about whether the commissioner approved it or whether there’s an ethics issue here,” said Singh, pointing to the difficulties faced by Canadians who can’t afford private health services or who are struggling with the cost of housing.
“What this vacation shows is another example of a prime minister who doesn’t understand the realities of everyday Canadians, hasn’t lived those struggles, and is not willing to use every power, every tool at his disposal to fix those problems.”
The Prime Minister’s Office did not answer whether the trip was at the estate of Peter Green, as reported by CBC/Radio-Canada on Tuesday. It would not say whether Trudeau declared this trip as a gift under the conflict of interest act or the code for MPs.
“As per standard practice, we consulted with the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner to ensure that the rules are followed,” said a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday.
