Over the past few weeks, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation has been attracting attention in the media and in the House of Commons.
Last Friday, the former President and CEO, Pascale Fournier, appeared before the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. She offered solid testimony, it’s good to see witnesses who answer the questions of elected officials directly.
The good performance of Mme Fournier makes sure to place the future of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation in an extremely precarious state.
It has been in recent weeks that M.me Fournier learned of the famous $140,000 donation in the Globe and Mail. Quickly, she tried to shed light on the situation, but she met with resistance and it is for this reason that she left her post.
Alexander Trudeau
When Mme Fournier tried to refund the donation, she realized there was something wrong between the donors and the receipts.
Normally, it was the former CEO, Morris Rosenberg, who handled donations under $1 million, but in this case it was Alexandre Trudeau, the Prime Minister’s brother, who signed the contract.
Mme Fournier said she couldn’t find a board resolution giving Alexandre Trudeau the power to do so.
So, it will be interesting to hear from Justin Trudeau’s brother on Wednesday afternoon. We understand that he wants to save the honor of the family and the foundation, but it could be the opposite.
A big risk
This testimony is a big risk for the Foundation and his brother. Moreover, since it was Mr. Trudeau who asked to speak before the committee, the opposition parties risk being ruthless.
With the almost perfect testimony of Pascale Fournier, last Friday, the bar is very high for Alexandre Trudeau. We will compare the two services.
Alexandre Trudeau will have to do what Mr.me Fournier did not have time to do before having to leave his post, either to explain the mystery around this Chinese gift.
Because, currently, very few people want to be associated with the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, which is a risk for its survival.