MONTREAL — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is dismissing concerns over his attorney general attending a private Liberal party fundraiser this week hosted by a Bay Street law firm that's registered to lobby her.
Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould is the star attraction at Thursday night's $500-a-head, invitation-only soiree at the Torys LLP firm in downtown Toronto.
"Please join us for a private evening in support of the Liberal Party of Canada with the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould," says the invitation.
Lobbyist registry records show that at least one Torys LLP lawyer is actively registered to lobby Wilson-Raybould on the issue of corporate and mutual fund tax law.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has just barred her cabinet members from attending private fundraisers, following embarrassing revelations that ministers were expected to raise up to $500,000 annually for the provincial Liberal party — a task that often entailed perceived conflicts of interest.
Ontario, like British Columbia, does not have limits on how much corporations and unions can contribute to party coffers, setting up scenarios in which massive donations coupled with private access to political leaders raises a multitude of concerns.
Trudeau, speaking Wednesday in Montreal, noted that union and corporate donations are forbidden under the rules for federal political parties, while donations by individuals are strictly limited to about $1,500 annually.
"The federal government and the Liberal Party of Canada has very, very strict rules around fundraising," said Trudeau.
He also applauded Wynne's decision to ban her cabinet members from attending private fundraisers, but failed to address the question of whether Wilson-Raybould's Toronto event presents a potential conflict of interest.
"There are a number of provinces that still have work to do in terms of demonstrating public trust and I think banning union and corporate donations, as we have done at the federal level, is an important step that different provinces should consider."
