Here are seven scandals that marked Justin Trudeau's time in power

Justin Trudeau's nine-year tenure as prime minister has been marked by significant achievements and controversies. Among the controversies, here are seven notable scandals that have cast a shadow over his administration since 2015.

Aga Khan Island Vacation

In 2016, Trudeau and his family spent eight days on the Aga Khan's private island during the holiday season. This led to the Ethics Commissioner concluding that Trudeau had violated the Conflict of Interest Act—making him the first sitting prime minister to do so. Trudeau apologized, explaining that the Aga Khan had been a childhood friend. This incident raised questions about his judgment and damaged his public image.

Controversial Trip to India

Trudeau’s 2018 visit to India drew widespread criticism. The Indian media criticized his choice of traditional attire, calling it overdone and caricatured. A larger issue arose when Jaspal Atwal, a former Sikh extremist convicted of attempting to murder an Indian minister in the 1980s, attended an event hosted by Liberal MP Randeep Sarai. This strained relations between Canada and India, which have not fully recovered.

SNC-Lavalin Scandal

In 2019, allegations of political interference surfaced involving Quebec-based SNC-Lavalin. Trudeau and his adviser Gerald Butts reportedly pressured then-minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to offer an out-of-court settlement for corruption charges faced by the company. When Wilson-Raybould refused, she was demoted, eventually leaving the government. The fallout forced Butts, a close friend of Trudeau, to resign.

WE Charity Controversy

In 2020, the Trudeau government awarded a $912 million contract to WE Charity to manage student scholarships without a competitive bidding process. It later emerged that members of Trudeau’s family, including his mother and former wife Sophie Grégoire, had been involved in the charity’s activities. This led to a significant scandal, resulting in the resignation of Finance Minister Bill Morneau.

Appointment of Mary Simon

In 2021, Trudeau appointed Mary Simon as Canada’s first Indigenous governor general, a move celebrated as a step toward reconciliation. However, the appointment faced backlash in Quebec and among French-speaking Canadians because Simon does not speak French. This raised questions about Trudeau's commitment to bilingualism.

Vacation on Truth and Reconciliation Day

On September 30, 2021, the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Trudeau opted to take a surfing trip to Tofino, British Columbia. His absence on such a significant day drew sharp criticism from Indigenous communities. Trudeau later acknowledged his mistake and apologized.

Green Fund Irregularities

In 2024, the Trudeau government decided to dismantle Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a green transition fund established in 2001. The Auditor General found that SDTC had misallocated $59 million to ineligible projects with overstated environmental benefits and identified at least 90 violations of conflict-of-interest rules.

These controversies, while not defining Trudeau’s entire time in office, have been key moments of scrutiny throughout his leadership.