Trudeau Foundation Board Of Directors Resign Due To Conflict Over China-Linked Donation

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation’s CEO and board of directors announced their resignations on Tuesday, April 11, in response to the charity’s recent “politicization” amid a scandal over suspected Chinese meddling in Canadian democracy.

The Scandal

It was initially revealed in February that the foundation had taken $200,000 in funding from a Chinese businessman with connections to the Chinese government seven years prior. Due to a possible link to China, the charity declared in March that it would return the money.

As per CTV News, Morris Rosenberg, a former long-serving public servant who subsequently was chosen by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to write a report on attempts to tamper with the 2021 federal election, served as the organisation’s CEO at the time. 

Although attempts were made, Rosenberg determined that the panel whose work he was evaluating “did not detect foreign interference that threatened Canada’s ability to have free and fair elections.”

Yves-Francois Blanchet, the leader of the Bloc Quebecois, and other political representatives criticised Rosenberg for having a “deficit of credibility” after hearing about the donation to the charity under his supervision.

The Aftermath

Former governor general David Johnston was appointed by Justin Trudeau as a special rapporteur last month to look into allegations of Chinese government intervention in Canadian elections and institutions.

The Conservatives have brought up Johnston’s prior involvement in the Trudeau Foundation to throw suspicion on his impartiality.

After being appointed as special rapporteur, Johnston resigned from the foundation. With reference to Johnston’s lengthy experience in public service, Trudeau has justified his appointment.

According to the statement, three directors will stay on indefinitely to carry on the charity’s activities until a new board is chosen. 

The board of directors is appointed by foundation members. Six members of the board of directors are currently listed on the foundation’s website.

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