Jurist Former Canada AG testifies about SNC-Lavalin scandal

[Dadparvar]

Jody Wilson-Raybould, former Attorney General of Canada, testified before the House of Commons Wednesday about her involvement in the SNC-Lavalin scandal, which hinges on allegations that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau inappropriately pressured Wilson-Raybould to intervene in the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin for corruption and fraud.

Trudeau allegedly pushed for Wilson-Raybould to negotiate a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with SNC-Lavalin. The Canadian government recently amended their criminal codes to add DPAs as a method to combat economic crimes. DPAs would defer prosecution until a certain date, and if the organization adhered to the agreement then the prosecution would be dismissed altogether.

In her testimony, Wilson-Raybould described a meeting she had with Trudeau and the Privy Council Clerk, Michael Wernick, on September 17, 2018. At the meeting, Trudeau and Wernick allegedly urged Wilson-Raybould to consider the economic and political implications if SNC-Lavalin moved their operations because of the prosecution.

At that point the PM jumped in stressing that there is an election in Quebec and that “and I am an MP in Quebec—the member for Papineau.” I was quite taken aback. My response—and I remember this vividly—was to ask the PM a direct question while looking him in the eye—I asked: “Are you politically interfering with my role / my decision as the AG? I would strongly advise against it.”

Trudeau has denied any wrongdoing.

The post Former Canada AG testifies about SNC-Lavalin scandal appeared first on JURIST - News - Legal News & Commentary.

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