Wilson-Raybould can speak about SNC-Lavalin affair at committee: Trudeau
Posted February 25, 2019 12:01 pm.
Last Updated February 25, 2019 4:27 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould will be permitted to speak publicly about some of the details of the SNC-Lavalin affair.
Trudeau told the House of Commons that the government will waive some of the solicitor-client privilege and cabinet confidences that have so far kept Wilson-Raybould silent.
“The member can address relevant matters at the committee while ensuring of course that the two active court cases are not jeopardized,” Trudeau said.
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It’s still not clear when Wilson-Raybould will testify. The committee has freed up Tuesday and Wednesday but her office has yet to confirm a time.
Wilson-Raybould sent a letter to the chair of the committee on Monday saying she is anxious to appear, but wants to hold off scheduling an appearance until clarity has been reached about what she is legally allowed to share.
She says once she has that clarity, she will appear at the first available opportunity. She is also asking for a full 30 minutes to give her opening statement.
Conservative Deputy Leader Lisa Raitt says she’s disappointed her testimony comes with strings attached, “[Trudeau] is speaking for her once again as to what her testimony can and cannot be.”
Meanwhile, the opposition is trying to force the prime minister to testify, putting forward a motion in the House of Commons calling on him to appear before the justice committee.
