Political crisis in Canada: surprise resignation of the Minister of Finance

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Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced his resignation on Monday amid rumors of tensions with Justin Trudeau over the management of the pandemic, and while he is at the heart of an ethics scandal also targeting the head of government.

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"  As we enter a new phase in the fight against the pandemic, it is time that a new Minister of Finance can carry out this project on a long road strewn with pitfalls  ." It was with these words that Bill Morneau announced his resignation at a surprise press conference after a meeting with Justin Trudeau , as the country goes through its worst economic crisis since World War II. The resigning minister assured to have taken this decision on his own initiative, without being constrained by the head of government.

Bill Morneau had held this post since 2015. He revealed that he intended to run for the post of Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Justin Trudeau immediately offered his support.

"  Canada will strongly support his candidacy to lead this important global institution which will play a vital role in the global economic recovery, " the Canadian Prime Minister said in a statement. Thanks to his leadership, Canada has developed a strong economy with one of the best records in the G7, created more than a million jobs and achieved the lowest unemployment rate in its history.  "

Targeted by an investigation by the Ethics Commission

For the past week, several Canadian media have reported deep differences between Bill Morneau and the head of government on how to revive the Canadian economy, weakened by the coronavirus pandemic, without jeopardizing public finances while the expected deficit has reached more. of 340 billion dollars, or 216 billion euros.

The Minister of Finance is also targeted by an investigation by the Canadian Ethics Commissioner into his links with the charitable association We Charity ("United" in French) which employed his daughter, and to which the government had awarded a major contract. without tendering.

This investigation also targets Justin Trudeau, whose mother, brother and wife were paid by this association to the tune of approximately $ 300,000 for their participation in various events.

Like the Prime Minister, Bill Morneau apologized for participating in the discussions on the award of the government contract to the association. The contract has since been withdrawn, without ending the controversy that pushed Justin Trudeau's minority government back in the polls.

► See also: Canada: at the heart of an ethics scandal, Justin Trudeau auditioned by the deputies

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