Trudeau sorry for not recusing himself from WE discussion

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he “deeply regrets” not recusing himself from the government’s decision to award a contract to WE Charity.

The decision came under fire because of the Trudeau family’s longtime involvement with the organization.

Trudeau has said the public service made the decision to give WE the contract to manage a $900 million student volunteering program, known as the Canada Student Services Grant.

That decision was ratified by cabinet in a discussion he took part in.

On Monday, Trudeau told reporters he should have recused himself from those discussions.

“This was my mistake,” he said.

Last week, reports suggested that the prime minister’s wife, brother and mother had been paid a combined $300,000 for appearing at a number of WE events over several years.

Trudeau says he knew of their involvement with WE, but did not know the full details.

He says he’s particularly sorry that the delay in the program caused by WE’s eventual decision to withdraw will harm students.