Justin Trudeau Under Investigation by Ethics Watchdog

The Canadian Prime Minister might be in some hot water.

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Canadian ethics commissioner, Mary Dawson, is launching an investigation into Justin Trudeau's most recent vacation. Over the Christmas break, the Prime Minister, his family, and other Liberal leaders, visited Bell Island -a private destination owned by billionaire and renowned spiritual figurehead, Aga Khan. In a letter issued to Conservative lawmakers this week, Dawson claims that Trudeau may have violated the country's ethics code during this brief stay. It's the first time that a sitting Prime Minister has been investigated by the committee, which prohibits the receiving of gifts and use of foreign sponsored aircrafts. The exception to this rule, which Trudeau and his party will likely cite, is that the Canadian PM can accept gifts from friends.

Justin Trudeau has called the Aga Khan a longtime family friend. In 2000, the Imam acted as a pallbearer during the funeral of Justin's father, the late and former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. During this recent break from parliament, Trudeau rode a personal helicopter from the Bahamas to Bell Island. The looming question from Canada's ethics committee, is if this trip or any potential gifts throughout it, could play into future government decisions. In a statement released by the Prime Minister's office, Trudeau has said that he will meet Mary Dawson to discuss and detail his visit with the Aga Khan. "As the Prime Minister said last week, we are happy to engage with the commissioner and answer any questions she may have."

The Prime Minister is currently embarking on a countrywide tour, speaking with local communities across the nation. He has refused to disclose just how many times he's visited the private Bahamian island. In the meantime, Dawson and the ethics committee will determine whether or not Trudeau has violated four sections of Canada's Conflict of Interest Act.

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