PM, Liberals vote against public inquiry into SNC-Lavalin affair
Posted February 20, 2019 9:35 am.
Last Updated February 20, 2019 1:34 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – The Trudeau government has shot down opposition efforts to launch a public inquiry into the SNC-Lavalin affair with the Prime Minister and the Liberals suggesting there’s no need for an inquiry into the scandal.
Following the vote, the person at the centre of this, Jody Wilson-Raybould, said she abstained from voting because the motion was about her. The Vancouver-Granville MP took advantage of the moment to speak about the solicitor-client privilege which is preventing her from speaking out.
“Canadians want to know the truth and want transparency, privilege and confidentiality are not mine to waive and I hope that I have the opportunity to speak my truth,” she added.
Wilson-Raybould will be testifying about the SNC-Lavalin affair at a justice committee early next week but Trudeau won’t say if he will be waiving solicitor-client privilege before her appearance so she can speak freely during her testimony.
“Quite frankly, we are getting advice from the current Attorney General and she’s getting advice from her counsel on what can be talked about that’s not covered by privilege,” Trudeau added.
The NDP has said nothing short of an independent inquiry into the controversy will satisfy the Canadian people.
The opposition raised multiple points of order claiming Trudeau was in a conflict of interest in voting on the NDP motion because he is the client in this situation.
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Wilson-Raybould showed up for the weekly Liberal caucus meeting today but wouldn’t say if she will provide any explanations to her fellow MPs.
“I’m going to attend caucus, as I always do. We’ll see how the conversations go.”
She says she is still getting legal advice ahead of her much-anticipated testimony, which is expected to take place on Monday.
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“I want to be able to ensure that I am confident in what I can and can’t say.”
Wilson-Raybould adds she can’t say why she decided to resign as minister last week.
