Liberal-linked Canada 2020, seeks insulation against cash-for-access inferno
OTTAWA — A not-for-profit think-tank founded by Liberals with close personal ties to Justin Trudeau is trying to insulate itself from the cash-for-access inferno that is scorching the federal government.
Canada 2020 recently introduced a new donor agreement that must be signed by any company or group that gives it money, making it clear that the donation won’t buy access to the prime minister, his cabinet ministers or anyone else who attends the organization’s events.
It has also recently implemented a new policy prohibiting active lobbyists from sitting on its board of directors.
Trudeau has attended at least three events organized by Canada 2020 — two exclusive events with the prime minister during his first official visit to Washington last March and an “after party” last June at a swank Ottawa restaurant following the North American Leaders’ Summit.