Charity distressed by flap over request for refund of Trudeau speaking fee

OTTAWA – The Grace Foundation is expressing dismay that a private dispute with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau over a public speaking fee has been turned into a political football.

In its first public statement since the controversy erupted late last week, the New Brunswick charity says it never intended the matter to become partisan fodder on the floor of the House of Commons.

The foundation wrote in March to the Speakers’ Spotlight — the agency through which it hired Trudeau to headline a June 2012 fundraising event — to ask for the $20,000 speaking fee back.

Ian Webster, chair of the foundation’s board, says no response was received so the board decided in May to let the matter drop.

He says no one was authorized to approach Rob Moore, the Saint John-based charity’s local Conservative MP, or any other political person to apply pressure on Trudeau.

Moore has said members of the foundation solicited his help; at least one board member has strong ties to the Conservative party and is married to a a member of Moore’s riding executive.