03.22.2019 10:39 AM

JWR is playing chess, and she always wins

The other side play checkers – and always lose.  Because she’s smarter than they are.

Oh, and to mix my metaphors, and like I always say: the truth is like water. It finds a way out.

From CBC:

Jody Wilson-Raybould says she will provide a written statement and copies of text messages and emails to the Commons justice committee that shut down its probe into the SNC-Lavalin affair.

This week, the Liberal members, which have a majority on the committee, voted to close down the inquiry without recalling the former attorney general to testify a second time in order to respond to other witnesses.

In a letter to the committee chair, Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, Wilson-Raybould, former justice minister and attorney general, said she would respond to a request to provide copies of texts and emails she referenced in her Feb. 27 testimony at the committee.

“Related to these requests, I also have relevant facts and evidence in my possession that further clarify statements I made and elucidate the accuracy and nature of statements by witnesses in testimony that came after my committee appearance,” she wrote.

“As such, in response to these requests, and consistent with the standard practice of the committee of receiving written submissions, I will be providing a written submission to the committee in relation to matters within the confines of the waiver of cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege.”

38 Comments

  1. Zeke Roberts says:

    If she gets to respond a second time, surely it’s only fair for everyone else who testified to respond again.

    Personally, I think JWR & Philpot genuinely believe they were inappropriately pressured. But I also think that the general public will not interpret the actual evidence in the same manner. The PMO was talking to the Justice Minister, JWR/Philpot are arguing from the AG’s position. If the positions of AG and Justice Minister were split up, there would be no controversy.

    • Ron Benn says:

      Zeke, you are splitting hairs, you are making distinctions that lack a difference. Insert a few more mixed metaphors if you wish.

      Next, you should not stray from the standard Liberal mantra “I do not feel that I acted inappropriately in any way. But I respect the fact that someone else might have experienced that differently.” When you stray from the script, it can create confusion for the other actors on stage.

      • The Doctor says:

        And don’t forget the other loose end — Gerald Butts resigned, but nobody did anything wrong . . . he just resigned because . . . because . . .

    • Anyone in Canada can submit written statements to committees and they will be included in the official record.

    • Jim R says:

      AFAICT, the Justice Minister can’t overrule the Director of Public Prosecutions, only the AG can. As such, the PMO was talking to, and applying pressure to, JWR as AG, not JWR as the Justice Minister. I’m not sure why the public would think otherwise.

      Needless to say, yup, these positions should be split up. And if the AG still ended up being appointed from the pool of MPs, then the AG should not be allowed to do anything even remotely partisan, e.g., should not attend caucus meetings.

  2. Max says:

    Zeke, have you considered writing an Op Ed? Or applying to one of those vacant PMO positions?

  3. Zeke,

    With respect, their continued stonewalling is killing them with the general public, or at least those who choose to pay attention or are political animals.

    Quite obviously, JWR will use every parliamentary and procedural method at her disposal to force the committee’s hand. And that will push the PMO over the edge into absolute crisis-mode. Things have gone from terribly bad to infinitely worse — and they remain adrift at sea, at the mercy of tides they can in no way control.

    • The Doctor says:

      The Liberals have also in a way almost given up trying to face the issue head-on. It’s very clear that their strategy is now to change the channel at every opportunity and talk up the budget. It’s a strategy of deflection and “look, a pony!”

  4. Max says:

    1. Trudeau has not volunteered nor has he been asked by the Justin Committee to give his version for all Canadian to see and judge.
    2. 4 people have either resigned or been fired over this Lavscam.
    3. We now know with certainty that SNC Lavalin never threatened to leave Canada, nor were 9000 jobs in play.
    4. Butts refused to testify under oath.
    5. Ms. Katie T has been MIA.
    6. Jody and Jane are now being goaded and blamed for NOT speaking in hopes they will take the bait when Trudeau has them in a straightjacket and muzzle. Were they to speak, these same people will be demanding they be:10 booted from the LPC, 2) be jailed and charged, 3) be disbarred (JWR)
    7. Meanwhile, Trudeau has lawyered up.

  5. Nick says:

    The PMO was worried this would drag on so it chose to shut it down and in the process of doing so essentially ensured it will drag on!

  6. It takes a majority of Parliamentarians to maintain confidence in a government. That is the rubric; and since Philpott’s abrupt departure didn’t trigger the expected stampede, it appears party sabotage and straw-grasping is now the play. Burn the village to save the village? No wonder the caucus is closing ranks around the PM.

    • M. Blattel says:

      I completely agree, Scott in Montreal. This whole situation is looking more and more “orchestrated,” and less and less sincere. What’s the end game? I can only conclude that JWR and Philpott hope to elect Andrew Scheer because that’s where this is heading, and I am not happy about it.

    • Scott,

      I’m far more crass than most people. It smells like parliamentary pension access to me. You know, coasting thereto…

    • Shane says:

      Sorry Scott, I disagree.

      From everything I’ve seen so far I’m pretty safe coming to the conclusion that something took place after JWR’s shuffle to Veteran’s Affairs that Trudeau is VERY nervous about seeing the light of day. Something that JWR and Jane Philpott either have firsthand knowledge of or evidence of. Something so bad that JT would prefer the continued bad optics by keeping them muzzled, and blatantly shutting down all further inquiries into, than let them speak openly. Something so concerning that Butts, Wernick resigned before it came out, while stating they did nothing wrong. Something so important that JWR and Jane Philpotts’ consciences won’t let them drop it, at huge personal, political and professional cost because they think Canadians need to know. This isn’t party sabotage and straw grasping. There’s more going on here.

  7. Sean says:

    Question

    I read her staemennt and she said she will provide information which will ” elucidate” comments made by others. Could this be a way of challenging what was said perhaps by Butts and a few others?

    • Sean,

      Real tough for a commitee’s majority that in no way wants to E-L-U-C-I-D-A-T-E on anything. They aren’t fucked yet, but even they can see it coming.

      • Sean says:

        Excuse my ignorance, but assuming JWR submission is not voluntarily made public by the committee,, could it be made public under the freedom of information act?

        • Ronald O'Dowd says:

          Sean,

          I honestly don’t know for sure. But at first blush, perhaps ongoing parliamentary deliberations might fall under a delay mechanism — aren’t cabinet deliberations off limits for 30-40 years at the National Archives?

  8. the real Sean says:

    It is very smart to be doing this stuff through the committee. Doing it on her own with a press conference or in the house would remove the official nature and seriousness of what is being discussed. It also affirms that other M.P.s want to get to the bottom of this. Doing it through the committee is actually parliamentary strategy at its finest. JWR and JP know exactly what they are doing and are easily outsmarting the JT suicide cult.

  9. Kelly says:

    So what does everyone think should happen?

    Should Trudeau resign so the Liberals can pick a new leader?
    We know the Conservatives can’t form government because half their caucus was in Harper’s government so their policies are toxic, as are Scheer’s views on almost every social issue. They aren’t fit to government and a month ago were calling for JWR’s resignation but now call her a saint. So should we all vote for the NDP? Maybe it’s their turn? I’m asking an honest question.

    • Luke says:

      I hear you. I don’t know what to do with my vote. I am going to be paying close attention to my Liberal MP’s position on this matter. So far he is very careful. If he doesn’t put me off and JWR and JP are still willing to run for the party, I might retain my Liberal vote. If Mulcair were running the NDP, they’d be laughing right now I bet. Alas, Jagmeet does not inspire my confidence, and the CPC is just nowhere near my values, by and large. So failing Liberal, it’s Green for me I think.

      • billg says:

        Problem is, what does it say about yours or any local liberal MP that has not spoken publicly about the need to get answers. The Liberals can be thankful that Andrew Scheer is leading the Conservatives, however, other then remaining in power at any legal or illegal means, what exactly is the vision of Liberals right now? As a Conservative I am so frustrated with my party for its lack of direction and social values, but I also think most Liberals are as well with Trudeau. At a time on our history when we desperately need Leadership we get we get this sad group. Lizzy May anyone?

    • Walter says:

      Harper had the best GDP growth in the G7, best jobs growth in G7, and lowest increase in debt in the G7 . We now also know that Harper is the only PM not to be found guilty , by an independent office of parliament, of violating the Ethics Act since it’s inception. It’s also nice that Harper never assaulted a woman in the House of Commons, or used and abused women like chattel.
      Every Liberal MP, save for maybe 3 or 4, are condoning the behavior of Trudeau by their silence.
      Not a single voter who cares about this country will vote Liberal until their is a full house cleaning.

      • Kelly says:

        “We now also know that Harper is the only PM not to be found guilty , by an independent office of parliament, of violating the Ethics Act since it’s inception.”…

        No his government was just the first to be found in contempt of parliament in Canada’s history. Here is a list of 69 of ethical and legal breeches… His sorry excuse for a government got turfed for a reason…and half of it is in Scheer’s caucus. They’re never getting back in. https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/08/10/Harper-Abuses-of-Power-Final/

        • Ronald O'Dowd says:

          Kelly,

          Never say never. Remember the guy who they ALL said, except for yours truly, that it was impossible to go from third-place party to government?

          Right now, Scheer has an edge with at least a minority in view, like it or not. (I don’t. But I don’t as a rule wear blinders. I left that for the last three PMOs.)

    • Fred from BC says:

      “So what does everyone think should happen? ”

      The very first thing would be to reject the extremist view that any Canadian political party actually has “toxic” policies.

      • Kelly says:

        LOL. Ask Kellie Leitch about that one. Sheesh.

        • Fred from BC says:

          “LOL. Ask Kellie Leitch about that one. Sheesh.”

          You thought Kelly Leitch represented the official CPC platform and policies? LOL indeed…

      • Walter says:

        Is supporting those who attempt to destroy the rule of law in Canada considered a “toxic” policy.
        I would say yes – but still it seems 30%+ of the population support it.

    • Ronald O'Dowd says:

      Kelly,

      Well, welcome to politics in real time!

  10. Sean says:

    The strength she has in her convictions is remarkable. For four hours she spoke to the old boy’s club and provided a credible account of what took place-I loved the endorsement she got when Elizabeth May cross examined Butts: I believe every word she said.

    Now the Trudeautards are grasping at straws. Susan Delacourt is trying to undermine JWR and Jane Philapott by suggesting their offensive is highly organized as to suggest they’re part of a deep rooted conspiracy. The heart broken Delacourt discredits herself even more.

    Sheila Copps, the octopus eater, was very aggressive in her contempt for JWR. But her offensive blew up in her face like a shotgun that backfired. And good old Rosey Barton
    has never swayed from her affections -never expect more from a pig than a grunt as my father use to say.

  11. Doug Brown says:

    As a partisan non-Liberal (you can take the boy out of Calgary, but will never take the Calgary out of the boy) and Trudeau hater, I’ve watched the Liberal self immolation with an ever widening smile on my face . That being said, the only rational explanation of recent events would be a coup plot to topple Butts/Telford and their avatar PM. Why haven’t JWR and Jane Philpot been ejected from caucus? Harper or Chretien would have tossed anyone who went off message. The drip-drip actions of JWR, JP and CCC seem designed to exact maximum damage. Warren is correct in stating their chess skills. So here’s another question: which operative(s) are helping them? I’m not calling their competence or intelligence into question, but all three are relative political neophytes. Who is the chess master?

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