OTTAWA —Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending a $500-a-ticket fundraiser by Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, showing little appetite to shut down private gatherings that help fill party coffers.

With the justice minister set to woo supporters at the Toronto event, Trudeau on Wednesday gave no indication that his government would follow the lead of Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and end such private political fundraisers.

Instead, the prime minister said that some provinces have “work to do” to catch up with Ottawa’s example, which for years has banned political donations by unions and corporations.

Wilson-Raybould is the guest star at a Liberal fundraiser Thursday night hosted at the downtown Toronto law office of Torys LLP.

“Please join us for a private evening in support of the Liberal Party of Canada with the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould,” reads the event notice on the Liberal party website.

Having the justice minister appear at an event at one of the country’s top law firms creates the appearance of a potential conflict of interest, Conservative MP John Brassard said.

“You blur those lines between party business and government business,” he told the Star

“This is a party that is billing themselves as a champion of the middle class and you’ve got a $500-a-ticket fundraiser that’s happening in a big Bay St. law firm,” said Brassard (Barrie-Innisfil). “I’ll let others draw their conclusions whether this is pay for access.”

But in a statement Wednesday afternoon, the federal Liberal party said Wilson-Raybould had cleared her attendance at the event with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and was told there was “no conflict.

“As one would expect, all MPs have a role to play in attending events for their political party, and the commissioner’s office has recognized that fundraising is an important part of all MPs’ political engagement,” party spokesman Braeden Caley said in an email.

However, the ethics commissioner said that Wilson-Raybould’s office was in touch Wednesday morning. That came after media stories had already raised questions about the event.

Wynne this week said her ministers would no longer attend such private fundraisers after the Star revealed that provincial cabinet members were expected to raise upwards of $500,000 for the party.

Asked whether it was appropriate to be charging $500 a head to mingle with the justice minister, Trudeau said Wednesday that the federal Liberal party was complying with rules around fundraising.

“We do not permit union donations. We do not permit corporate donations. The fact is individuals have very strict limits as well on how much they can donate,” Trudeau said during a visit to Montreal.

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Wilson-Raybould’s office refused to discuss Thursday’s event or address the issue whether it was a potential conflict of interest and instead referred all questions to the Liberal Party of Canada.

Caley said the Liberal party would be picking up all the costs associated with the Thursday event.

“Events are one (of) part our fundraising and engagement work, and the Liberal Party of Canada fully complies with the Elections Act in all of its fundraising activity,” Caley said, noting that contributions over $200 are publicly reported.

The Conflict of Interest Act prohibits a public office holder from personally soliciting funds if it would place them in a conflict of interest.

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