CBC News: Wilson-Raybould says she faced pressure, 'veiled threats' on SNC-Lavalin; Scheer calls on PM to resign
Conservative leader says powerful politicans should not try to overrule court proceedings
Jody Wilson-Raybould says she faced intense political pressure and veiled threats related to the SNC-Lavalin affair, and was warned directly by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the negative consequences if the company faced prosecution.
It was a day of high political drama, as the former justice minister and attorney general accused top Liberal government officials of inappropriate, excessive political interference in an independent criminal prosecution, and the opposition parties called for Trudeau's resignation and a public inquiry into the scandal.
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WNU Editor: First things first. For those who may not know, I live in Canada and I have been watching this story very closely. And yesterday was quite a day. I watched two individuals giving testimony to elected officials .... former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen in the morning and former Canadian Minister of Justice/Attorney-General Jody Wilson-Raybould later in the afternoon. It took me about 15 minutes of listening to Michael Cohen to realize he was not (and is not) a credible witness. As for former Canadian Minister of Justice/Attorney-General Jody Wilson-Raybould's testimony, she was the exact opposite. She was forthright, meticulous, factual, backed by evidence and witnesses. She outlined how the Prime Minister and his aides put pressure on her to alter a criminal investigation, with the Prime Minister himself being blunt to her that the Justice Department "must find another solution" because it would impact his political prospects in the province of Quebec. She refused, and (she believes) was the reason on why she was fired as Attorney General. The reaction that I have heard from those who I trust when it comes to Canadian politics is one of shock. We basically learned yesterday that there is a two tier system of justice for this government, and friends of the Prime Minister will be protected. My prediction. The impact of her testimony on Prime Minister Trudeau and his government are going to be severe and consequential when Canadians go to the polls later this year. And even though the government and the Prime Minister are now making the case this morning that they were only trying to protect jobs, in my opinion they are not being persuasive. My prediction. A criminal investigation on what has happened is now warranted. And as for Prime Minister Trudeau's prospects for this year's election, they are in deep trouble. The Liberal base that Prime Minister Trudeau needs to go to the polls are going to stay home.
More News On Former Canadian Minister of Justice/Attorney-General Jody Wilson-Raybould's Testimony
Read the full text of Jody Wilson-Raybould’s statement to the House of Commons justice committee -- National Post
Wilson-Raybould claims political interference in SNC-Lavalin affair -- iPolitics
Wilson-Raybould says she was pushed, got veiled threats on SNC-Lavalin -- Times Colonists/Canadian Press
Key moments from Jody Wilson-Raybould's SNC-Lavalin testimony -- CBC
Prime Minister Trudeau's Reaction
'I and my staff always acted appropriately' regarding SNC-Lavalin: Trudeau -- Ottawa Citizen
Canada's Trudeau disputes ex-minister's charge she was pressured on SNC-Lavalin -- Reuters
Trudeau ‘definitely not in agreement’ after Wilson-Raybould details pressure, ‘veiled threats’ in SNC-Lavalin affair -- Global News
Trudeau doesn’t address calls for resignation, says Canadians will choose in general election -- Global News
Commentaries And Analysis On This Scandal
Today sounded and felt like a death knell for the Liberal government -- Christie Blatchford, National Post
Trudeau has lost the moral mandate to govern -- The Globe and Mail
Trudeau now finds himself up to his neck in the SNC-Lavalin scandal -- Chantal Hébert, Toronto Star
PM needs to be criminally investigated -- Brian Lilley, Toronto Sun
ANALYSIS: The Trudeau brand takes a hit after Jody Wilson-Raybould testimony -- David Aiken, Global News
Wilson-Raybould's convincing testimony may cost Trudeau his job -- John Ivison, National Post
The moral catastrophe of Justin Trudeau -- Paul Wells, Macleans
SNC-Lavalin affair weighs down Trudeau government in polls -- CBC
SNC-Lavalin: What happened and when -- Hamilton Spectator