Wilson-Raybould’s decision on SNC-Lavalin was hers to make: Trudeau
Posted February 15, 2019 8:57 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – The prime minister continues to suggest he and his people had nothing to do with the controversy surrounding Vancouver-Granville MP Jody Wilson-Raybould and a high profile Quebec engineering firm in trouble with the law.
Justin Trudeau has revealed that he and the former justice minister did have a conversation about whether or not there was pressure on the SNC-Lavalin file.
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“Jody Wilson-Raybould asked me if I was directing her or going to direct her to take a particular decision. I, of course, said ‘no,’ that it was her decision to make,” he said.
“We absolutely will defend and uphold the principles of judicial independence, of the rule of law. That is what we did at all times,” he added.
Big development. Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau says as Justice Minister, @Puglaas asked him if he was giving her direction to make a specific decision on SNC Lavalin. He says he told her no, the decision was hers to make. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/9S759lgHpQ
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) February 15, 2019
But the prime minister didn’t say what led Wilson-Raybould to ask that question, only saying if she felt anything wrong had occurred, she should have spoken to him about him — adding she didn’t.
Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau says he can talk about why she was shuffled into Veterans Affairs. Says if @scottbrison had not stepped down, then @Puglaas would still be in Justice #cdnpoli
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) February 15, 2019
Trudeau also wouldn’t say what reason Wilson-Raybould gave him for her resignation, but he is refuting claims that she was shuffled out of the justice role because of the SNC-Lavalin case.
He said if Scott Brison hadn’t quit, she would still hold that portfolio.
