Unlike the Trudeau Foundation, which managed to get rid of a controversial donation to two Chinese businessmen, the rector of the University of Montreal (UdeM), Daniel Jutras, says he is unable to reimburse the sum of 550,000 dollars. they paid to his educational institution.
In interview at DutyMr. Jutras affirmed that the funds will be reallocated to other activities, even if he failed to obtain the approval of the donors, as provided for in the agreement signed in 2016 to frame their contribution.
Last week, after failed attempts, the Trudeau Foundation managed to return $140,000 to donors, which has notably sparked wholesale resignations from its ranks, due to a controversy that has lasted for more than five years. .
On Thursday, Mr. Jutras said he has a legal opinion demonstrating the impossibility of returning the funds.
“We have a legal opinion that tells us that this measure, to return the money, is subject to obtaining a judgment from the Superior Court which will declare the donation void, he explained. . As we do not have proof of the conditions under which this donation could be cancelled, this is not an avenue that is open. »
Mr. Jutras did not comment on the means that enabled the Trudeau Foundation to return the funds to the donors, Zhang Bin and Niu Gensheng, under a joint agreement with the University of Montreal.
“I refuse to answer that question, ask it to the Foundation,” he said. We have a legal opinion in this direction, I don’t know what legal opinion they have at the Foundation. »
golden eagle
According to the rector, the return of the donation would also be contrary to the Income Tax Act. However, he did not specify on which aspects, confining himself to repeating that he has a legal opinion.
In 2016, the University of Montreal and the Trudeau Foundation shared a sum of one million dollars offered by the two businessmen. A few months later, a first controversy erupted when it emerged that Mr. Zhang had attended a Liberal Party of Canada fundraiser in the presence of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In February, the Globe and Mail attributed to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) allegations that the government of the People’s Republic of China offered Mr. Zhang to reimburse his donation. This proposal was part of an operation aimed at influencing Mr. Trudeau, in particular through the intermediary of the foundation which bears the name of his father, the former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
The International Millennium Golden Eagle Company, chaired by Mr. Zhang, disbursed the funds on behalf of the donors, to the university as well as to the foundation. The entire donation, ie $800,000 for UdeM and $200,000 for the foundation, has not yet been transmitted.
Agreement
The agreement concluded in 2016 stipulates, in article 6, that the executive committee of the Université de Montréal may, “in agreement with the donors or their representatives”, reallocate the funds “in the event of significant changes or developments” compromising the intended goals.
Mr. Jutras said Thursday that the University of Montreal tried in vain to reach the donors.
“We don’t have an answer,” he said.
Mr. Jutras asserted that this provision should be respected as far as possible.
“The uncertainty around this donation justifies us going ahead with the reassignment itself, even if the reassignment clause, by assumption, is difficult to fulfill at this stage,” he said. supported.
More details will follow