News
Bombshell PMO interference allegations ‘extremely damaging’ to judicial system; Wilson-Raybould’s inability to refute allegations creates ‘bizarre’ dynamic in cabinet, say pundits
By Neil Moss & Abbas Rana Feb. 11, 2019
The non-denial by former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould is a 'major problem for the government,' says Tim Powers.
Jody Wilson-Raybould was shuffled from Justice to Veterans Affairs on Jan. 14, 2019. The Globe and Mail reported last week that the Prime Minister's Office attempted to press Ms. Wilson-Raybould when she was justice minister to help SNC-Lavalin avoid a criminal prosecution, but Ms. Raybould said she couldn't comment because she is bound by solicitor-client privilege in the matter. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould’s inability to refute the allegations in last week’s Globe and Mail report of attempted political interference in the justice system by the PMO is creating a “bizarre” dynamic in the cabinet, which is “uncharted territory,” say Conservative and Liberal political insiders, and a former Tory justice minister and attorney general says the alleged interference undermines Canada’s “entire” justice system.
Abbas RanaAbbas Rana is the assistant deputy editor of The Hill Times. He reports on the Parliamentary caucuses, nomination contests, political leadership campaigns, Elections Act laws, and the Senate. Abbas loves to chat with sources on-the-record or on not-for- attribution basis especially when they have verifiable story tips that could be followed as news stories. Brown envelopes are also always a lot of interest to him. Born and raised in Pakistan, Abbas speaks Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi. When not chasing politicians down on the Hill, he likes to watch cricket and movies.
Follow - arana@hilltimes.com
Related Stories
Politics This Morning
Your email has been added. An email has been sent to your address, please click the link inside of it to confirm your subscription.
More in News
Trudeau to meet with Black youth who experienced alleged racial profiling on the Hill
In an apology offered in the Chamber on Feb. 19, House Speaker Geoff Regan said, ‘All who come here must know unequivocally that they will be welcomed with equality, dignity and respect.’‘Underdog’ NDP in Outremont faces ‘hard battle’ to keep ex-leader’s seat: NDP analysts
NDP candidate Julia Sánchez says she has a good campaign team in Montreal, and isn’t losing out on party resources focused on leader Jagmeet Singh's byelection race in B.C.Federal Court of Appeal sides with BOIE against NDP in satellite-office battle
NDP MPs had been ordered to repay roughly $4-million by the Board of Internal Economy, which they've already started repaying though they've been fighting it in court for five years. Butts’ exit could help government wield more effective defence strategy in SNC-Lavalin affair, politicos say
Gerald Butts has removed himself from the daily political grind of strategizing how to keep the Liberals in power. But observers say it's unlikely he will be consigned to watch the campaign unfold from the sidelines. Hill reporters push back against lack of access to MPs in West Block
‘For a reporter, this is terrible,' says CBC's Julie Van Dusen. Two suggestions for new scrum spots were rejected, but talks to find a solution continue. Perception a problem with retired Supreme Court justices involved in the ‘highly partisan’ SNC-Lavalin affair, say some court watchers
Jody Wilson-Raybould’s hiring of Thomas Cromwell as counsel is ‘good for the client, good for the PMO, good for Canada,’ says a Supreme Court specialist.Nearly two-thirds of public servants have unresolved pay issues three years after Phoenix launched, survey shows
Results from the 2018 Public Service Employee Survey also indicate harassment stats in the public service are relatively flat despite a PCO push for change.Criminal charges raises spectre of SNC-Lavalin takeover, but feds’ $180-billion infrastructure plan can find other builders, experts say
SNC-Lavalin risks a takeover if it's convicted. But aside from likely outrage in Quebec, Ottawa can find other builders for its infrastructure plans if the company is banned from bidding on federal contracts, experts saySNC-Lavalin lobbied Liberal-tied ambassador on corruption case, sought help from ex-aides to Chrétien, Mulroney
The Quebec company had extensive access to government ministers and top staffers, and was the only organization registered to lobby for allowing deferred prosecution agreements for white collar crimes.Trending Stories
