Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has done a complete reversal on the speaking fees he raked in from charities in the five years since he was an elected MP in his Montreal riding.
Trudeau says he’s willing to refund tens of thousands of dollars to charities he billed for his speeches to “make it right.”
“I’m willing to pay all of the money back if that’s what it comes to and I’m going to work with them on that, but I’m going to fix this,” Trudeau told CTV on Sunday.
Plus, pithy commentary from Michael Coren.
Related: Trudeau’s list of speaking engagements.
But, if he truly (and finally) sees the problems with taking money from a charity, then why can’t he apply the same measure to raking in funds from tax-payer funded institutions such as high schools and colleges?
I have been listening to the radio talk-shows, and I’m truly discouraged. The majority of Canadians (rightfully) blame the peckerheads who authorized the payments, but can’t seem to grasp the ethical issues about Turdo la Doo screwing the tax-payer.
It is a mindset that permeates our government institutions, and apparently a big chunk of our citizenry. The idea that public money should be spent wisely and frugally eludes them.
PET Cemetery Report.
We have dug up this list.
““I talked non-political stuff,” he said.”
…-
“JUSTIN TRUDEAU SPEAKING EVENTS
2006-2012”
“As disclosed by Trudeau’s leadership campaign.”
“Between 2006 and 2009, he made $1.3 million through the speaking events — more than the value of the stocks and bonds he inherited from his father.”
http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2013/02/14/ethics-commissioner-a-oked-justin-trudeau-speaking-events-as-mp/
His father was a moral coward who failed to answer the calling of his generation by sitting out WW2.
Now we know baby Trudeau is also a moral coward preying on Charities.
Not fit for high public office.
“make it right”
Justin. You mean “make it left” doncha?
I’d guess that’s because many of them are putting themselves in the Shiny Pony’s shoes, while they may crow about being progressive, & about generosity & responsibilty, their values regarding personal ethics when it comes to them profiting from something is likely rather loose.
To them it’s not unethical to profit from such organizations, instead it’s only the fault of the organizers of the events.
His speaking engagements were approved byt the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
What was she thinking?
Speakers Spotlight used to have him as one of his speakers.
Now they only have his mom and wife listed.
Wonder why they deleted him from their roster.
Plus interest on Ontario public debt incurred to finance those payments.
Plus, I am getting a bit testy seeing Stop Harper buttons on the lapels of public servants — whether federal or provincial — in Stratford ON. Clean it up. Not acceptable.
During today’s broadcast of Power & Politics, it was implied that this issue has been raised by the Conservatives in order to deflect the Senate controversy on to Trudeau.
A reminder to Evan Solomon: Liberal leadership hopeful Martin Cauchon raised the issue of the inappropriateness of MPs getting paid for making speeches.
From the Feb. 27, 2013 National Post article titled “Martin Cauchon joins last-minute gang up on frontrunner Justin Trudeau as Liberal leadership race heats up” by the CP’s Joan Bryden:
“Liberal leadership hopeful Martin Cauchon is questioning front-runner Justin Trudeau’s judgment in continuing to collect public speaking fees while serving as an MP. …
… arguing that speaking to charities and other non-profit entities like school boards should be part of an MP’s regular duties.
… And he called on Trudeau to reimburse the money. …
He noted that Trudeau missed some votes in the House of Commons while he was delivering paid speeches, “so there’s a question of double dipping there” as well.”
Please note the date of that article: Feb. 27 2013. So those who are now implying that the questions being raised are part of a Conservative conspiracy to discredit Trudeau are full of it.
He should have first decided his career path. Did he want to earn money as a motivational speaker or did he want serve the public as an elected politician? The poor dear couldn’t decide and wanted to hedge his bet. Not surprising, really, since he’s apparently not very good at either.
In any event, it’s disgusting that a well paid and benefited servant of the public is moonlighting on the coffers of public institutions and charities. If he’d had any real experience with charitable organizations, he couldn’t possibly think his actions were ethical?
It may just be worth the money to get Junior in front of as many voters as possible so that everyone can witness firsthand his shortcomings.
Sadly any charity that is willing to pay a ‘never was’ like Shiny Pony $20,000.00 per speech should have their charitable status revoked.
Secondly any MP who is willing to charge $20,000.00 per speech should loose his seat in Parliament.
Thirdly any party leader/would be PM that tries to get back into the public’s good books by admitting he acted unethically thus trying to refund the charity is not one the average Canadian wants for a PM.
Then of course there is the hilarity of a high paid passer of platitudes not being able to fill the house.
Talk about a lose lose lose lose proposition is anyone even sure that JT even wanted to be PM a year ago? Seems to be a bit of a short term planner no?
If Justin does pay back the charity, we should all demand to see the cheque.
The only thing I am having trouble with is the question mark at the end of your comment.
“It is a mindset that permeates our government institutions, and apparently a big chunk of our citizenry. The idea that public money should be spent wisely and frugally eludes them.”
That about sums it up……..
Charity aside, he:
1. Doubled his speaking fees after getting elected as MP, and
2. Accepted over $100K from schools while serving as Liberal education critic. He was subsequently lobbied by at least 1 of those schools (York U) and shortly thereafter unveiled a policy to massively increase post-secondary enrollment (and funding) in what looks to me like a quid pro quo.
Other problems: accepted $6K to speak at clean water for reserves conference (he voted against clean water for reserves legislation just last week), accepted cash from public sector unions while hammering Harper on public sector issues, accepted ten grand from a Tamil organization linked to banned Tamil Tigers, etc., etc.
Say goodbye to Shiny Pony, I don’t think he will be Liberal leader come September.
Dear Joe;
why would a charity pay out $20k and then not wish to have it repaid?
Is it possible many charities have become vehicles to make a few individuals rich? Or, is it possible that the leftards use charities to get around campaign finance rules while maintaining a steady stream of galas paid for by the “charity” subsidized by the taxpayer?
How stupid are the fools who hired this flimsy high voiced silver spooner let alone the clowns who paid to sit through a speech by the spawn of the worst PM Canada ever had?
The only thing you should have to put into an MP in order to get a speech out, is a meal of rubber chicken. No money whatsoever.
Oh oh! A big headline over at National Newswatch, some courageous muck-raking journolist has uncovered a connection to the Conservative party on the board of the charity asking for its money back, oh well then, that explains everything…
Changed the sentence but missed changing punctuation. Apologies.
This really gets my goat as I’ve devoted many thousands of unpaid hours to public institutions and charities over the last few years and I am NOT independently wealthy. I know how important it is to charities to raise money. Government and private granting agencies will often insist that a certain (usually large) proportion of operating expenses are derived from organizational fundraising activities before considering the charity worthy of funding. Even if the charity fills a ‘public need’ void, they have to be seen as independently solvent before many granting agencies will consider assisting.
That Justin Trudeau has lined his own pockets in these sorts of endeavors makes me ill.
Each of the charities, school boards, etc, HIRED Trudeau. What sort of person would do that? Clearly, only a Liberal. Conservatives would have hired one of their own, dippers too, and so would the greenies. It is important that the members of the organizations trying to get “their” money back stew in their own juices a little longer. Maybe in the future they will be a little more careful of who they get to run their affairs. (Hint, people – don’t let a Liberal near the bank account)
“It is a mindset that permeates our government institutions, and apparently a big chunk of our citizenry. The idea that public money should be spent wisely and frugally eludes them.”
And why didn’t the public servants who hired Trudeau recognize what is clearly a conflict of interest when tax dollars are used to hire an active politician. Whether the fee is 20 large or even if it’s for free an active partisan normally should be disqualified as a speaker at a non-political event.
Justin Trudeau is ever-vacuous and greedy. That’s a given. But what of the schools and charities that wanted him to speak and paid money they said they needed?
(face palm)
Are those folks not the same ones who are huge Tommy Douglas fans? Fairness and equality actually meant something far different then than what it has morphed into now. The lens which most of those folks view the past has changed to a far more socialist/communist reality, and they probably sincerely think that Justin has what it takes to make things more “fair” today as well.
And I would venture to say that most of them watch CBC News regularly, and believe that the sun rises and sets on the young Trudeau.
They got what they paid for…only the Liberal Government has never given anything back…except in Quebec.
This one made me chuckle.
“November 15, 2006 – Association of Fundraising Professionals. $10,000”
Set aside any presumption of good faith.
These “speaking fees” where nothing more than a vehicle to circumvent election law spending limits.
I agree with your precursory arguments entirely — but I come to a different conclusion about September: Mr. Trudeau, Jr., will still be around.
It is not that he does not know what to do (he does not) or that the people around him do not know what to do (they do not), etc. An important (I think the most important) consideration in the election of Mr. Trudeau, Jr. as leader, at least from the stand-point of Liberal Party hackery, was to send a clear and unmistakeable message to the NDP, and its erstwhile supporters, that the Liberal Party establishment would not play second-fiddle in a left-wing merger-conspiracy — for reasons centered on control over the distribution of taxpayer money to themselves and their friends.
They went for superficiality, without the slightest regard for substance — again. As far as vision, policy, etc. is concerned, it will be — again — whatever they think they need to say to get elected, so they can get back into office and get their hands on the money for their own personal benefit. The current Liberal-NDP condominium arrangement in the Ontario legislation is precisely the way the Liberals like things arranged. And you cannot really blame the Liberal elite for thinking that their usual tactic will work again: just look at how the NDP got duped — again — in Ontario into assuming its usual lap-dog role.
Given the desperate position of the Liberal Party of Canada, the Trudeau election is as close as we get in Canada to a Hail Mary play, and they are stuck with him now. The strange death of Liberal Canada (to employ a slightly-modified George Dangerfield title) continues apace.
Who cares about campaign finance laws when you can just pretend to pay for Justin’s ‘wisdom’ with our tax dollars?
Wanna bet there are a few liberals on those school boards and literacy groups?
A cheap and sleazy way to funnel our tax dollars to a liberal.
Not much has changed in the liberal pack it seems.
His mother has a history of mental health issues, and he charged $20,000.00 to speak at the Canadian Mental Health Association in June 2012?
Is that just greed, or is he really that tone deaf and stupid?
Can’t wait for the CBC narrative on that one…
As I said before, he is unelectable. His a certifiable weirdo who most males will look at and hear speak and think as much. Only way he becomes PM, ever, is if Harper and the Cons give it to him.
“…….There’s no business like shoooow business…. ”
PM’s office sends details of Trudeau’s talk at Georgian
The Prime Minister’s office sent information yesterday to The Advance regarding a money-losing speech Liberal leader Justin Trudeau made in Barrie in 2007. The information was sent via email with the caveat it be referred to as coming from a “source,” not the PMO, when used.
Modesty from the PMO. [who’s the new guy?]
“(Trudeau is )a certifiable weirdo who most males will look at and hear speak and think as much”
The unspoken counter-argument is that Trudeau will SWOON women voters in droves. That’s what I’m really afraid of. I’ve seen it up close and it is not a force to be underestimated. Such women are and will be completely impenetrable to any reasoned argument why Shiny Pony will be such a bad leader. He makes them SWOON, and that is that.
Will he also reimburse the taxpayer for claiming his travel expenses to get to these “speaking” engagements?
Too bad women swoon for this moron. Women swooned for his ugly, acne-scarred father too. My neighbor in the 1970s was taken with PET because she read somewhere that he could disco dance! Wow. The suffragettes must be roling in their graves at the stupidity of some female voters today.
David;
When little or no political philosophy guides a movement like the Libels it does come down to ‘what’s in it for me’. The fact that young Turdeau was charging for appearances and that he increased his fees after becoming an MP is simply cashing in. He had no guarantee that he would become leader. Foregoing fees would have been to big an investment in a future that might not have happened.
Turdeau is a classic example of a class of people who are more willing to live off road kill than actually go out and bag a deer.
With all the flip flops on policy and personal conduct, it’s obvious the Pony boy is being stage managed by a host of Librano PR wonks – but more important is the reason he requires so much “management”. Its an “optics” problem as the spinners would say – in other words Pony Boy has been so insulated in the Laurentian gated community that he has no idea how to act in front of real people. Vacant isn’t the operative word here – he’s detached – detached from the real world and the real Canada. God save us if this coddled brat and his Laurentian Marxism have go at destroying this country a second time – if that happens I will be looking at retiring early – to NZ.
“I will return the money IF THAT IS WHAT IT TAKES…” In other words, I still see nothing wrong with what I did, and will only do enough to cover the optics and stop the whining. Doing the right thing has no place in my reasoning process. What we see is a person whose entire life is governed by appearances, not morals or character. During his on camera tirade, he tried to slam the conservatives by saying that it is not their policies, but their values, that are the sticking point. To paraphrase what I think he really meant, he can not point to any specific actions by the government which show how un-Canadian they are, but they just don’t have the image that he likes. Again, this provides insight into how he would like to govern. The specifics of what he would do matter not. All that matters is image. That pretty much sums up his campaign for the Liberal leadership, and is a fair indicator of how he would lead. As the commentator on Sun said, he does not have people who support his policies (there are no policies to debate). He has fans. The last two elections in the states were not won by either party, but by the media machine. Given that most voters were raised on media, rather than ideas and discussion, the same fate probably awaits us – if not now, then some time in the future. The only thing that has saved Canada from the same fate in our last two elections was the ineptitude of the LPL.
At least for the moment he is on the run. What a fool of a man. But I’m not counting him out yet. After all, one of the most useless, incompetent leaders ever to enter politics got reelected to the south of us, his name being Obama.
If Obama can reelected, Trudeau can get elected, regrettably.
Time will tell….
Regarding jts speaking engagement at thr LHSC.
I seem to recall one year that the same org refused to allow a visit (at no charge) from the then leader of the opposition saying they refused to be used for political campaigns.
All the more reason LHSC should be getting a call from thr local MPP, Health Minister, and deputy Premier Deb Matthews telling them they are to instruct justin that a refund is in order…unless of course she also she’s no problem with tax dollars being used this way?
I agree that he will probably win the single women vote. But I don’t think that is enough to offset how horrible he will do with men. I view it, and I might be wrong, that he is swooning a select subdivision of women, who are fanatical like Bieber fans.
Well that’s dumb. It’s his money fair and square.
LAS finally said something resembling intelligent. Trudeau is dumb. Dumb for taking the money in the first place then dumb for saying he is going to return the money.
On a side note doesn’t Shiny Pony look good as a political pinata?
Justin is rapidly progressing from “Shiny Pony” to ‘Deer in Headlights” status.
The corruption inherent in this incestuous mess of Liberal Party of Canada and their minions in the bureaucracies, NGOs and Charities is beautifully exposed for all Canadians to see.
Theft and waste from the cover of here to help.
I expect contributions to charities will drop again this year.
I wonder what a cross check of these charities funnelling money to Justin and charities who spend large on admin costs, would reveal?
If they are so stupid as to pay an MP “speaking fees”, I wonder how well they administer the money Canadians entrust them with?
“Turdeau is a classic example of a class of people who are more willing to live off road kill than actually go out and bag a deer.”
That,CT,is a most excellent description.
I have stated Trudeau shouldn’t have to pay back the charity in NB, now I’ll extend that to all the charities and other organizations whose money he took.
Was making speeches for money on times he should have been in Parliament within the rules or not? If not,he should be further penalized,perhaps with a substantial fine,and have all the speaking fees done on Parliament time, seized by Revenue Canada.
If he yakked on his own time,the big question seems to be “is it ethical”? I don’t see why it isn’t ethical for an MP or Senator to speechify for bucks on their own time.
In the “off season”, he’s free to speechify or go on the PGA tour for all I care,just so long as he doesn’t speechify to Hamas or the Tamil Tigers.
Managing Trudeau is like dealing with a real-life version of “Chance,the gardener”. He’s stepped into a world he knows nothing about,and like the fictional character,experienced it mostly on TV.
His handlers are unbelievably inept,perhaps too blinded by Liberal Star worship to think clearly and have “Chance” avoid these embarrassments.
I would bet that EVERY one of the charities and school boards that he spoke to had Boards of Directors comprised of mostly Liberals,including the Grace Foundation.
They wanted to see their shining hero up close,and in the case of the GF, it didn’t work out. His own fans are the authors of his misfortune.
Like someone said here,though, Trudeau is still a danger to be reckoned with,women will swoon over him and vote for him in 2015.
The kid isn’t capable of running a lemonade stand, but the LPC wants him to run the Country.
Un-f***ing believable!
“…Trudeau shouldn’t have to pay back the charity in NB, now I’ll extend that to all the organizations whose money he took…Was making speeches for money on times he should have been in Parliament within the rules or not?…If he yakked on his own time,the big question seems to be “is it ethical”? I don’t see why it isn’t ethical for an MP or Senator to speechify for bucks on their own time.”
Here’s how/why it fails the ethics test.
We can take it as a given that Turdo la Doo did not made the decision to return the money…it came from the LPC fartcatchers.
And even though their advice can only be based on slimy political mathematics (because they are as devoid of ethics as he is), the decision is a de facto recognition that the original decision to accept the money wouldn’t have passed an ethics test with the Canadian Public in the first place.
And another related point is this: is Turdo la Doo still doing it? If not, why not?
Here is a short precis of the great Peter Sellers film ‘Being There’. Don morris refers to the mentally challenged character Chance, who lucks into a powerful gig by telling people only what they want to hear.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/BeingThere?from=Main.BeingThere
http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2013/06/18/literacy-charity-says-it-paid-conservative-senator-jacques-demers-to-speak/
And,to continue to open this deflective can of worms, Jacques Demers,Conservative Senator, also takes money for speaking at charities,and so do several others in the Senate.
I believe both Duffy and Wallin yak for bucks as well. Is it ethical for a Senator or MP to do the rubber chicken circuit? I can’t see why not, IF their regular job is closed for the season, IF they are doing so when they should be in Parliament or the Senate,it’s not only unethical, it’s cause for firing,in my opinion.
This, exposing Justin’s lucrative sideline, is excellent strategy by the PMO, as the MSM has dropped Duffy/Wallin to defend Little Saint Justin, but if we’re going to get into a discussion on ethics,we’ll find that almost no one in the political arena pays much attention to ethics anymore.The only boundaries now seems to be whether it’s legal,and in way too many cases, Duffy/Wallin/Mac Harb, whether they can get away with it.
As I’ve said many times before, we need a revolution,not another election. Sharpen the guillotine.
http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2013/06/18/sen-larry-smith-wont-disclose-his-speaking-events/
And further, here’s more Senators who yak for cash.Duffy,Wallin, Dallaire, Smith,Demers,Trudeau,whoops.