Trudeau’s Jamaica Vacation Didn’t Break Rules, Ethics Commissioner Says

Canada’s Interim Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not break any rules around gifts and travel for elected officials when vacationing at a family friend’s house in Jamaica, as conflict-of-interest rules allow for exceptions for gifts or travel given by friends. “If someone is a friend, they can offer a gift to a public officer in a personal context and the gift does not need to be disclosed,” the ethics commissioner testified at the House of Commons ethics committee on Jan. 30. The prime minister came under fire in the new year following reports that he and his family vacationed in Jamaica over the Christmas holidays in a $9,300-a-night luxury villa, with costs totaling $84,000 for nine nights. The location is part of the Prospect Estate resort owned by the Green family, who are long-time family friends of the Trudeaus....