Sale of shares not an admission of conflict of interest, says Morneau
OTTAWA — Donating money he made from shares in his family business since taking office is not an admission that he was in a conflict by controlling those shares, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau told a political talk show that aired Sunday.
Morneau told Global TV’s The West Block he made the move simply to reassure Canadians that he isn’t in politics for his own benefit.
The minister announced last week he’ll donate to charity the difference in the value of his shares in Morneau Shepell between the date he was elected in October 2015 and the day they’re sold.
He made the pledge after revealing that he would sell his shares in Morneau Shepell, the human resources and pension management firm he helped build with his father, and that he would place all of his other assets in a blind trust.