In the aftermath of Jody Wilson-RaybouldSA国际影视传媒檚 expulsion from the Liberal caucus, Michael McLeod says pressure she faced over SNC-Lavalin was improper, but nobody broke the law and heSA国际影视传媒檚 sticking with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau going into the next election.
SA国际影视传媒淚 wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 run if I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 support the prime minister,SA国际影视传媒� said Northwest TerritoriesSA国际影视传媒� member of parliament. SA国际影视传媒淎m I happy where we ended up? No. Could we have done things different? I guess in hindsight, maybe we could do an analysis.SA国际影视传媒�
On Tuesday evening and before the nationSA国际影视传媒檚 media, Trudeau shared his analysis in a campaign-style speech.
SA国际影视传媒淐ivil wars within parties are incredibly damaging because they signal to Canadians that we care more about ourselves,SA国际影视传媒� the prime minister began before turfing Wilson-Raybould and former Treasury Board president Jane Philpott from the party.
Both women had previously resigned from cabinet over what Wilson-Raybould alleges was a sustained effort from the Prime MinisterSA国际影视传媒檚 Office to have her divert SNC-LavalinSA国际影视传媒檚 trial for fraud and corruption charges.
SA国际影视传媒�ItSA国际影视传媒檚 become clear that Ms. Wilson-Raybould and Dr. Philpott can no longer remain part of our Liberal team,SA国际影视传媒� said Trudeau. SA国际影视传媒�If they canSA国际影视传媒檛 ultimately say they have confidence in this team SA国际影视传媒� then they cannot be part of this team.SA国际影视传媒�
The Qu茅bec construction firm and two of its subsidiaries stand accused of bribing Libyan officials for contracts there between 2001 and 2011. If convicted, the company faces a 10-year ban on bidding for federal work.
On top of explosive testimony Wilson-Raybould offered at the Justice committee in February, implicating Trudeau, key figures in his PMO, as well as the nationSA国际影视传媒檚 top bureaucrat Michael Wernick, she also released a secret recording between her and privy council clerk Wernick that supported her version of events.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think the recording didnSA国际影视传媒檛 bring out anything new for me,SA国际影视传媒� said McLeod. SA国际影视传媒淛ody Wilson-Raybould said what happened in her position was improper and I agree with that. Was it illegal? She said no. And there is nothing illegal.SA国际影视传媒�
Asked if Wilson-Raybould prevented a crime by refusing to go along with TrudeauSA国际影视传媒檚 desire to divert SNCSA国际影视传媒檚 trial SA国际影视传媒� a desire articulated by Wernick several times during the 17-minute conversation SA国际影视传媒� McLeod said, SA国际影视传媒淚 guess that will be for the public to decide.SA国际影视传媒�
Political pundits, legal experts, opposition MPs, and even Wilson-Raybould herself insist the credibility of the countrySA国际影视传媒檚 rule of law is on the line if the government goes easy on SNC-Lavalin in such public fashion, marring CanadiansSA国际影视传媒� confidence in the fairness of their justice system.
Even before Wilson-Raybould released the taped conversation, her testimony to the Justice Committee spurred five former attorneys generalSA国际影视传媒擯eter MacKay (Canada), Douglas Grinslade Lewis (Canada), Jonathan Denis (Alberta), Colin Gabelmann (B.C.) and Cecil Clarke (Nova Scotia)SA国际影视传媒攖o write Commissioner Brenda Lucki, urging a criminal investigation for obstruction of justice.
While Qu茅bec MP David Lametti was tapped by Trudeau to replace Wilson-Raybould and has not ruled out providing SNC-Lavalin a deferred prosecution agreement, McLeod declined to take a side on the companySA国际影视传媒檚 legal fate.
SA国际影视传媒淵ou know of course itSA国际影视传媒檚 a deal entered into by the prosecutor and the company. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 not something I have an opinion on, itSA国际影视传媒檚 not something ISA国际影视传媒檓 responsible with,SA国际影视传媒� said McLeod. SA国际影视传媒淚 think Jody Wilson-Raybould analyzed it, that was her job. She didnSA国际影视传媒檛 involve me.SA国际影视传媒�
As for hers and PhilpottSA国际影视传媒檚 fate in the Liberal fold, McLeod said it was a matter of internal deliberation for weeks and his position that either should be allowed to make their case to the caucus.
SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 think my voice was among the majority so it came out the way it did,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey were strong members, people that are strong on Indigenous issues, I really appreciated that. But at the same time I have to look at the big picture and see whatSA国际影视传媒檚 on the drawing board for the North.SA国际影视传媒�
