Canadian Treasury Board President Jane Philpott resigned on Monday from the cabinet of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, citing concerns over corruption.
The corruption charges in question are associated to alleged efforts by either the Prime Minister or someone in his cabinet to pressure Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould for a preferential finding in favor of Canadian giant engineering firm SNC-Lavalin. An independent investigation has been opened into the matter.
SNC-Lavalin was charged in 2015 with offering bribes to Libyan officials and defrauding Libyan agencies of more than $125 million dollars, with the company’s illegal activities ending in 2011 with the overthrow of the Libyan government. They have since fought the charges in court and asked for a remediation agreement, which would allow them to accept negotiated fines and governmental oversight rather than the harsher penalties a court loss would bring.
After reports arose of the alleged pressure of Wilson-Raybould, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denied there was any truth to them. For her part, the Attorney General refused to publicly comment but she did resign from her position on February 12.
Her resignation letter reads, in part:
I am aware that many Canadians wish for me to speak on matters that have been in the media over the last week. I am in the process of obtaining advice on the topics that I am legally permitted to discuss in this matter and as such, have retained the Honourable Thomas Albert Cromwell, CC as counsel.
Macleans
It is noteworthy that among the many people and groups she thanked in her resignation letter, Prime Minister Trudeau was not included. It is also noteworthy that in his public response to Wilson-Raybould’s resignation, Trudeau did not thank her for her service.
Shortly afterward, a top Trudeau aide and longtime friend, Gerald Butts, resigned his position.
“Canadians are rightly proud of their public institutions. They should be, because they work. But the fact is that this accusation exists. It cannot and should not take one moment away from the vital work the prime minister and his office is doing for all Canadians.
“My reputation is my responsibility and that is for me to defend. It is in the best interests of the office and its important work for me to step away,” he said.
CBC
That occurred on February 18.
As the recent resignation suggests, the scandal appears to be having an effect. This is in part due to Trudeau’s shifting statements about it, moving from outright denial on February 7, “The allegations in the Globe story this morning are false.” to recent assurances that any efforts made on behalf of SNC-Lavalin by his government were only to ensure continued job growth for his constituents.
The left-leaning Global News, traditionally friendly to Liberal governments, notes that half of Canadians polled say they want Trudeau to resign over it.
