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His failure to answer a direct question about his relationship with the Aga Khan would seem to be at odds with a statement he made less than a day earlier in an interview with a Halifax radio station, whose host also had questions about the New Year’s holiday.

“I’ve heard from a number of people across the country that they are concerned about this (holiday), and that is why I take this very seriously and I’m happy to respond to all questions that the Ethics Commissioner and others may have,” Trudeau said.

Before speaking to reporters in Fredericton, Trudeau held a town hall meeting during which a Fredericton resident, Mark D’Arcy, told Trudeau he believed the Trudeau family was entitled to keep vacation details private.

“I wish that the opposition and the media would let you be in terms of your Christmas holidays with you and your family,” D’Arcy said to a smattering of applause at the town hall event.

It was the first and only time through six town halls in Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick that the vacation issue was raised by a member of the public. Trudeau did not comment on D’Arcy’s observation.

Trudeau later told reporters that he has not yet fixed a date to meet with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Mary Dawson, but that his staff was working to arrange a meeting.

Dawson is an independent Parliamentary watchdog appointed in 2007 by then prime minister Stephen Harper. Her appointment expired this year but Trudeau extended it for six months while his government searches for a permanent successor.