Trudeau looks to hit parliamentary reset amid WE Charity controversy

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to hit the reset button on his Liberal government that is now mired in an ethics controversy by seeking to prorogue Parliament until October, CBC News has learned from multiple sources.

Trudeau must seek permission from Gov. Gen. Julie Payette to prorogue, but it is not clear when he intends to do so.

Sources told CBC Trudeau will hold a cabinet retreat in September and then have a speech from the throne in October to begin a fresh session of the House of Commons.

A budget or economic update is planned for October.

In a statement, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer called Trudeau “spineless” and accused him of “hiding out” amid a political controversy.

“Justin Trudeau is walking out on Canadians in the middle of a major health and economic crisis, in a disgusting attempt to make Canadians forget about his corruption,” he said.

“At a time when Canadians are looking for stability and leadership, Justin Trudeau has given them corruption, chaos, and coverups.”

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said prorogation will mean Trudeau is exposing himself to a confidence vote in the House of Commons when MPs vote on the speech from the throne.

“If it does not contain what it must contain, he will simply not survive a vote on his speech from the throne,” he said.

CBC News has also confirmed that Chrystia Freeland will take on the role of finance minister after Bill Morneau’s resignation Monday. Dominic LeBlanc will take on the intergovernmental affairs post, CBC has learned.

Both Morneau and Trudeau are being investigated by Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion after the Liberal government gave WE Charity a $43.53-million contract to administer a $900-million student grant program despite both their families having close ties to the charity.

CBC