Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admits he gets lobbied on government business when he attends Liberal party fundraisers, but insists he doesn't let donors influence him on government decisions.
Trudeau told a year-end news conference that people have questions for him at these events, and he listens, but says any decisions he makes are based on what is right for Canadians and not on what someone at a fundraiser might say.
Nevertheless, Trudeau's admission only adds fuel to a firestorm over so-called cash-for-access fundraisers, where donors pay up to 15-hundred dollars to attend events featuring Trudeau or one of his ministers.
New Democrat M-P Ruth Ellen Brosseau says discussing government business at fundraising events flouts not just the Liberal party's supposed rules but guidelines for ethical conduct crafted by Trudeau himself.
Brosseau says allowing donors to pay for access to lobby the prime minister or a minister ``looks like corruption.''
Trudeau said federal parties are subject to some of the most stringent political financing rules in the world and the Liberal party follows all the rules.