Top Canada ethics watchdog says Trudeau broke conflict of interest rules

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's top ethics watchdog on Wednesday ruled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his officials had contravened conflict of interest rules by trying to influence a corporate legal case, dealing a blow to the ruling Liberals less than 10 weeks before an election. In a scathing report, independent ethics commissioner Mario Dion said Trudeau and his officials attempted to circumvent, undermine and discredit a decision by federal prosecutors that construction giant SNC-Lavalin Group Inc should face trial on corruption charges. Trudeau, who says he was worried about potential job losses should the trial go ahead, admits he tried to persuade former Justice Minister Judy Wilson-Raybould last year to reconsider the decision but insists he did nothing wrong.

The post Top Canada ethics watchdog says Trudeau broke conflict of interest rules appeared first on Firstpost.