#LavScam latest: Canada’s top bureaucrat assassinates his reputation – and Trudeau’s, too

— 02.22.2019 11:02 AM

A must-read Tom Brodbeck column here.

Key bits:

“The most mind-boggling thing Privy Council Clerk Michael Wernick said Thursday didn’t occur during his testimony at the House of Commons justice committee.

Granted, the federal government’s top bureaucrat said some pretty shocking things there, including his bizarre comments about how Canada is essentially going to hell in a hand basket and that someone may even get shot in the next federal election.

But more to the point of what the committee was trying to examine – whether former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or any senior federal officials tried to interfere in the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin – Wernick’s most outrageous comment came during a scrum with reporters following his testimony.

The privy council clerk admitted at committee that not only was he in a meeting with Wilson-Raybould and Trudeau on Sept. 17 when the three discussed the SNC-Lavalin case – even though a decision to prosecute had already been made – but that Wernick also contacted Wilson-Raybould three months later on Dec. 18 to discuss whether giving SNC-Lavalin a deferred prosecution was “still an option.”

Wernick was asked by reporters following his testimony why he would contact the attorney general over three months after a decision had been made on the SNC-Lavalin case.

“Because the decision had not already been made,” Wernick said.

The decision had not already been made? Pardon?

The director of public prosecutions Kathleen Roussel made the decision on Sept. 4.”

This is shocking. It means one of two things.

  1. Wernick was as bizarre following his testimony as he was during his testimony – and he got some big facts wrong.
  2. Wernick told the truth – he and the Prime Minister plainly did attempt to push for a sweetheart deal for a huge Liberal Party donor facing a criminal trial.

Did anyone at PMO review tho guy’s speech before he gave it? Did they not think it was a good idea to take out the stuff where Wernick seems to suggest that critics of Justin Trudeau are vomitous murderers?

And did they not realize that the Clerk of the Privy Council planned to confirm the key allegation against Trudeau et al. – that they obstructed justice to benefit SNC-Lavalin?

Pro tip, Justin: when in a hole, stop digging.


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#WeAreWithHer: This is our daughter’s First Nation, supporting Puglaas!

— 02.21.2019 07:44 PM

This is the leadership of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation – all the clan leaders and the Deputy Haa Shaa du Hen earlier today. They sent us this photo while we were in meetings in Whitehorse.

Carcross/Tagish First Nation Executive Members showing support for Jody Wilson-Raybould today during their Executive Council meeting!

Left to right: Robert Wally (Kookhittan Clan), Charlie James (Daklaweidi Clan), Maria Baker/Benoit (Deputy Haa Shaa du Hen, Deisheetaan Clan), Lynda Dickson (Ishkahittaan Clan), Bill Barrett (Crow Elder), Ralph James (Wolf Elder) Missing: Corey Edzerza (Ganaxteidi Clan) and George Shepherd (Yan Yeidi Clan).

They say: #WEAREWITHHER



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#LavScam lunacy latest: if you are critical of my boss, it will lead to assassinations

— 02.21.2019 04:29 PM

Jesus H. Christ, these guys make the Trump White House look like communications geniuses.


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#LavScam Globe stunner: what JWR told cabinet

— 02.21.2019 10:43 AM

…and, as she almost certainly expected, they’re leaking it. They’re waiving the privilege all on their own. And thereby helping her to get her story out.

Man, she is smart. They’re playing checkers – and she always plays chess.

Story here.

Former attorney-general Jody Wilson-Raybould told federal cabinet ministers she believed it was improper for officials in the Prime Minister’s Office to press her to help SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. out of its legal difficulties, sources say…

On Tuesday, Ms. Wilson-Raybould privately outlined her concerns about the handling of the SNC-Lavalin prosecution to her former colleagues within the confidentiality of cabinet, freed from the bounds of solicitor-client privilege that have restricted her public statements so far.

According to a source with knowledge of the cabinet discussions, Ms. Wilson-Raybould said the director of the prosecution service rejected a negotiated settlement with SNC-Lavalin based on how the law applies to the company’s case. The Liberal government had changed the Criminal Code to allow for deferred prosecutions in which a company admits wrongdoing and pays a fine, but avoids a trial. Under Canada’s new deferred-prosecution agreement law, prosecutors are not allowed to consider national economic interests when deciding whether to settle with a company.

Once prosecutors decided in early September to move to trial, Ms. Wilson-Raybould told cabinet she felt it was wrong for anyone – including the Prime Minister, members of his staff and other government officials – to raise the issue with her, the source said. Another source added that Ms. Wilson-Raybould would not budge from her position at the cabinet meeting.

The Liberal source said government officials had also proposed an outside panel of legal experts to recommend a solution to the SNC-Lavalin issue, but Ms. Wilson-Raybould rejected the suggestion.


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#LavScam latest: Trudeau is still demeaning Jody Wilson-Raybould

— 02.21.2019 10:23 AM

See below. He said his people should stop attacking her. But here he is, again, saying her behaviour is “puzzling.” Before you know it, he’ll be back to saying this smart and proud indigenous woman is “difficult,” “a thorn in his side” and “in it for herself.”



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#LavScam poll: 41 per cent of Canadians say Trudeau has done something wrong

— 02.20.2019 01:21 PM

From the Globe, here.

A new poll conducted by Leger for The Canadian Press shows that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is taking a personal hit in the SNC-Lavalin controversy.

Overall, 41 per cent of respondents believed the prime minister had done something wrong involving the Montreal engineering giant and former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould; 12 per cent believed he hadn’t, and 41 per cent said they weren’t sure.

Interesting footnote: the scandal is hurting Trudeau, big time. But no other leader is benefiting from it.

We live in interesting times.


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