“One of the things central to my leadership is fostering an environment where my ministers, caucus, and staff, feel comfortable coming to me when they have concerns, indeed, I expect them to do so,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. “In Ms. Wilson-Raybould’s case, she did not come to me and I wish she had.”
OTTAWA – Saying there has been “an erosion of trust” between the Prime Minister’s Office and former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, Justin Trudeau is trying to explain his government’s handling of SNC Lavalin scandal.
“One of the things central to my leadership is fostering an environment where my ministers, caucus, and staff, feel comfortable coming to me when they have concerns, indeed, I expect them to do so,” Trudeau said. “In Ms. Wilson-Raybould’s case, she did not come to me and I wish she had.”
Wilson-Raybould testified she was subjected to relentless, inappropriate pressure — and veiled threats about being removed as justice minister and attorney general — to intervene to halt the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin on bribery and fraud charges related to contracts in Libya.
“The context is a tough one, with potential job losses in the thousands,” Trudeau added. “These are the types of situaitons that make governing a challenge. And when there an erosion of trust within the people involved, it further complicates what is already a difficult decision for the Attorney General. These have been a tough few weeks.”
But when asked directly if he was making any apologies, the prime minister didn’t offer any.
“In regards to standing up for jobs and defending the integrity of our rule of law, I continue to say that there was no inappropriate pressure.”
“What I can tell you is my team and everyone in this government always remains focused on how we make sure that we’re protecting jobs and building a better future for Canadians and doing so in a way that protects our institutions,” he added.
Moving forward Trudeau said his office will seek external advice on a variety of matters including the dual role of the justice minister and attorney general.
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is calling Trudeau’s statement an attempt to “justify and normalize corruption.”
Referring to Trudeau’s comments on an “erosion of trust,” Scheer said the real erosion of trust is between Trudeau and Canadians.
Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh criticized Trudeau’s statement, noting a lack of accountability or an apology.
“It was the PM discrediting the detailed testimony of Canda’s first Indigenous woman AG,” he tweeted. “The ‘erosion of trust’ is with Cdns.”
