Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family have been on vacation in British Columbia for just over a week, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister's Office has not specified where they are staying, but it says they are scheduled to return to Ottawa on August 18.

Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau announced last week that they are separating after 18 years but still plan to spend time together as a family.

They have also requested privacy for the well-being of their three children.

The Prime Minister's Office says the trip was approved by the Ethics Commissioner and that Trudeau is covering the costs of their stay.

The Prime Minister travels on a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft for security reasons, even for personal travel.

Trudeau violated conflict of interest rules in 2016 when he took a vacation to the Aga Khan's private island in the Bahamas, and his office says he consults the Ethics Commissioner before personal travel to ensure he follows the guidelines.