Trudeau Denies Using Influence in Student-Aid Scandal

  • Canadian leader says public service recommended WE for program
  • PM under fire over contract to charity with family ties
Justin Trudeau speaks to the House of Commons finance committee via video conference in Ottawa on July 30.Photographer: David Kawai/Bloomberg
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denied allegations his ties to the WE Charity led him to award a contract to the organization.

In 90 minutes of testimony to a parliamentary committee, Trudeau said he never influenced the public service’s decision to choose WE Charity to administer a C$900 million ($670 million) student-grant program this spring, even though he realized in hindsight he should have recused himself from cabinet’s final decision on the matter.