The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation has formally severed its relationship with the Trudeau family, concluding a chapter marked by controversy over foreign donations.
Blacklock's Reporter says while a 15-month federal audit found no wrongdoing in the handling of a $140,000 gift linked to Beijing interests, the foundation announced it has completely restructured its leadership and governance to preserve its independence.
“The bylaws were updated and representatives of both the family of Pierre Elliot Trudeau and the Government of Canada formally ended their roles in the Foundation’s governance,” stated the organization’s 2024 Annual Report.
Alexandre Trudeau, who had served as executive director and represented the family, stepped down in November 2024.
The change follows the 2023 mass resignation of the foundation’s CEO and entire board.
That decision came after it was revealed the organization accepted a large donation from Millennium Golden Eagle International, a Chinese firm connected to state-run media and the Communist Youth League.
Alexandre Trudeau personally approved the cash gift, despite warnings from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
“Following allegations the donations may have been part of a foreign influence operation the Board of the Foundation immediately returned the funds,” the report noted, acknowledging the intense media attention and political fallout.
In testimony before the Commons ethics committee in 2023, Trudeau defended his decision and downplayed concerns.
“I never thought there was any interference,” he said, adding he believed the donor’s motives were “honourable” and expressing admiration for Chinese culture and governance.
“I am a reader of Confucius,” he said, asserting, “We need to recognize certain accomplishments of that regime.”
The Canada Revenue Agency launched an audit following political pressure from MPs, but ultimately concluded the gift was not improperly directed.
“The funds received were legitimate gifts,” the foundation reported. In response, it has since overhauled its donation policies.
Originally founded by Parliament in 2002 with a $125 million taxpayer endowment, the foundation’s independence and integrity came under fire during a 2023 Commons public accounts committee hearing.
Revenue Commissioner Bob Hamilton acknowledged that red flags may influence audit decisions but declined to confirm whether specific concerns had triggered the review.
“Could be,” he replied, when asked directly by Conservative MP Kelly McCauley whether the situation met the threshold for further investigation.
