Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Trudeau Foundation says it's launching independent review of potential China-linked donation

Share

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation says it will be launching an independent review of the organization's acceptance of a donation "with a potential connection to the Chinese government."

The foundation's board reached this unanimous decision prior to dissolution, according to board chair Edward Johnson.

"This review will be conducted by an accounting firm instructed by a law firm, neither of which were previously involved with the Foundation," Johnson said in a statement to Â鶹´«Ã½.

On Tuesday, the foundation's entire board of directors and president and CEO , citing "politicization" of the self-described independent, non-partisan scholarship organization. 

Johnson was who agreed to remain on the board on an interim basis. 

In announcing the mass exodus of the organization's leadership, the foundation cited the "great deal of pressure" put on management related to "the political climate surrounding a donation received by the Foundation in 2016."

Over the last few months amid reporting on foreign interference, attention has been put on the foundation over past members' ties to the current government, in light of reporting by The Globe and Mail stating the foundation had several years ago accepted a $200,000 donation from a Chinese businessman with ties to the Chinese government.

In March, then-president saying the foundation had refunded "all amounts received with respect to the donation pledge," because of the potential China connection. The Globe and Mail reported that the amount being returned was actually $140,000.

On Wednesday, that attempts to return the funds were unsuccessful, generating turmoil within the organization. The Quebec-based newspaper reported that some board members had considered asking Canada's Auditor General to look into the issue.

In its Wednesday statement to Â鶹´«Ã½, the foundation said it did issue a reimbursement cheque in the name of the donor who made the initial two payments of $70,000 "and to which CRA charitable receipts were issued."

Declining an interview request, Johnson said the foundation's priority at present is "an efficient transition ensuring our operational capacity."

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked about the latest reporting surrounding the donation. In response, he restated that he's had no involvement with the foundation that bears his father's name in the last decade.

The prime minister said it is "important" for the foundation to reflect "on how it can continue doing the important work that it does."

Separately, as special rapporteur, former governor general David Johnston has been tasked by Trudeau to assess the "extent and impact of foreign interference" in Canada's electoral processes. Calls continue from the opposition parties for an independent public inquiry into foreign meddling in Canadian affairs.

With files from Â鶹´«Ã½' Spencer Van Dyk 

IN DEPTH

Opinion

opinion

opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster

A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?

opinion

opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

BREAKING

BREAKING

Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.

Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'

A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.

A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.

At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building in Old Montreal early Friday morning, sources told Noovo Info.

Local Spotlight

Chantal Kreviazuk is set to return to Winnipeg to mark a major milestone in her illustrious musical career.

From the beaches of Cannes to the bustling streets of New York City, a new film by a trio of Manitoba directors has toured the international film festival circuit to much pomp and circumstance.

A husband and wife have been on the road trip of a lifetime and have decided to stop in Saskatchewan for the winter.

The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.

A group of classic car enthusiasts donated hundreds of blankets to nursing homes in Nova Scotia.

Moving into the second week of October, the eastern half of Canada can expect some brisker fall air to break down from the north

What does New Westminster's təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre have in common with a historic 68,000-seat stadium in Beijing, an NFL stadium and the aquatics venue for the Paris Olympics? They've all been named among the world's most beautiful sports venues for 2024.

The last living member of the legendary Vancouver Asahi baseball team, Kaye Kaminishi, died on Saturday, Sept. 28, surrounded by family. He was 102 years old.

New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.

Stay Connected