The RCMP has investigated the possibility of accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of fraud after investigating his family vacation in 2016 on the private island of Aga Khan in the Bahamas, according to internal documents related to the investigation.
In the end, the police decided not to conduct a criminal investigation into the trip, which was considered separately by former Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson.
The RCMP’s decision responded in part to a nuance in the law that allows incumbent prime ministers to consent to receiving gifts that would otherwise be fraudulent against the government.
The relevant section of the Penal Code states that no civil servants or officials may receive or solicit gifts from a person “who has a relationship with the government … unless with the written consent of the head of the branch of government that employs them.” .
As prime minister, Trudeau could theoretically afford to accept a paid vacation.
The RCMP report notes that Dawson never determined whether written consent had been given for the trip and the police themselves did not seek that evidence.
Details of the RCMP investigation were first reported by The Globe and Mail. The documents were provided to CBC News by the Conservative Party.
During a question period on Monday, Conservative MP James Besan asked Liberals if Trudeau had provided himself with a “free release card” before the trip, which cost the government more than $ 215,000.
“Has the prime minister given himself the power to break the law?” Bezan asked. “His silence is deafening.”
A house on the island of Bell in the Bahamas, which is wholly owned by Aga Khan. (CBC)
The leader of the House of Government, Mark Holland, responded, citing a report by the Ethics Commissioner, who found that Trudeau had violated four sections of the Conflict of Interest Act.
“This report clarified all the issues. The prime minister answered appropriately,” Hollande said. He later accused opposition conservatives of wanting to “drag guerrilla politics and play games” by resuming a five-year dispute.
RCMP documents also show that the forces did not prosecute due to Dawson’s investigation.
Internal documents say that if Dawson decides Trudeau has committed a crime under the Penal Code, she will be required to “notify the appropriate authorities.”
Since this has never happened, the RCMP said it “is reasonable to conclude” that Dawson does not believe Trudeau committed the offense. Police investigators are not bound by the findings of the ethics commissioner, but the report notes that such investigations “should be given some respect”.
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