Things are still murky. But they're becoming clearer. As Tom Walkom sees it, both Justin Trudeau and Jody Wilson-Raybould are responsible for this state of affairs:
First, the prime minister said he didn’t direct Wilson-Raybould to do anything untoward. She said nothing.
Instead, she issued a statement arguing that, as a former attorney general, she was bound by the principle of solicitor-client privilege and thus could not speak at all on the issue.
Then he said she had reconfirmed a conversation the pair had last fall in which he told her that the final decision in any federal prosecution was hers alone.
She still said nothing.
Then he noted that her continued presence in cabinet proved that nothing was amiss.
She responded by quitting cabinet.
It's been an awkward dance. Trudeau has been tripped up by his own rhetoric:
Throughout this dismal saga, Trudeau has been a victim of his own rhetorical confusion. He insists that Canada is subject to the rule of law — which is true. But he implies that this means Canada is subject only to the rule of judges — which is not true.
By law, politicians are given the explicit power to override judges in some instances (extradition is one example). The Constitution even allows elected politicians to override the Supreme Court in certain areas.
In a similar fashion, the Director of Public Prosecutions Act gives the attorney general, a politician, the power to override the decisions of federal prosecutors.
The allegation in the Globe story is that Trudeau’s officials pressured Wilson-Raybould last year to make use of the power the law gave her and allow SNC-Lavalin to negotiate a plea bargain.
It seems she took this as improper political interference and chose not to comply. Fine. That was her prerogative.
But it would have saved us all a lot of trouble if, having found herself at odds with the head of government over this important matter of public policy, she had taken the logical step and resigned from cabinet immediately.
And it would have helped if Trudeau had ditched his usual vague bromides and made it clear from the start that the rule of law does not require the negation of all politics.
Where will it all lead? Who knows? But it is an election year, and things are coming to a head.
Image: The Toronto Star
8 comments:
Coming to a head indeed. This being an election year it just amplifies the idea that this government thinks that we can be roped in yet again. Who knows what lies and promises can be made in order to secure a possible flimsy mandate. It just leaves me once again looking at another "lesser of two evils" scenario. This time I will not Hold my nose and will "waste" my vote if that's what it takes to have a clear conscience. Enough already. When you really think back over the last forty plus years amid all the scandals, promises, and all the lack lustre leaders and schemers we have had very little choice that would offer hope. The last real hope I can remember is "scrap the G.S.T. and "electoral reform". Vote Green and be done with it.
I keep hearing people say they'll vote Green this time around, zoombats. It will be interesting to see if they'll follow through on their intentions.
Trudeau needs to get ahead of this. He should have learned with his ham-fisted bungling on the Creston BC groping scandal. Several years ago while attending some festival in the southeast BC town, Trudeau groped a young reporter. He issued a written apology the following day. Then, when the incident re-surfaced after he formed government he dithered, even saying he didn't remember it. That wasn't enough to force him to resign but it did show him to be deceptive and hypocritical with his "zero tolerance" policies. Unfortunately that causes lasting damage and can make people less trusting.
He bungled again with JWR. I don't care for either of them but this reinforces my belief that the Liberals are weak and vulnerable. I do resent them handing this leverage to Andrew Scheer's Tories. Never should have happened and especially not in an election year.
Dithering about, evasive answers about how he did not "direct" Jody to intervene, leave the impression of dishonesty. Two of these incidents in the course of just one term in office make it that much worse. Trudeau's devout followers, the "nothingburger" crew, are left to condemn the opposition for doing what opposition parties always do - exploit every government vulnerability, especially in an election year. Politics is a blood sport whether it's Stephen Harper or Justin Trudeau at the wheel.
Watching Mr. Trudeau's performance yesterday, in which he said that Wilson-Raybould should have come to him if she felt uncomfortable but failed to do so sounded a lot like victim-blaming to me, Owen, hardly something that will endear him to indigenous communities or the women whose interests he claims to always be championing.
There's been all kinds of Orwellian language surrounding this, Mound. I get the impression that a political romance has come to an end, and one of the parties is suing for divorce. If that's what's happened, let's call it what it is.
Precisely, Lorne. Words can't paper over what has happened here.
When its all over, the Liberals will still be in office. Conservatives are not an alternative for many. The still have the Harper taste in their mouths and it isn't good. Andy is even worse. Some will never vote NDP and don't like the current leader, some may park their votes with the Greens as a protest, but that alone will not be enough to change the course of the election except perhaps in close ridings.
Trudeau may attract more votes in Quebec, because that is where SNC lavalin is from. The rest of the country will most likely vote has they had planned to. A scandal here or there isn't going to change their voting patterns because what they vote for is what benefits them most and the Cons/Scheer isn't going to benefit them most. They've seen Ford scratch back benefits, many will be afraid Scheer will do the same with the child tax cheques which go out each month. Money is sure a motivator.
Elvis has left the stadium. Ms. Wilson Raybound has left the cabinet. For those of us who follow politics that is important. For the rest of the country, not so much. Quebec will be fine with it. Ontario may be too afraid to vote for anything which looks like Ford at the rate Ford is going.
Given that the First Nations vote helped get Trudeau elected, it may impact the next election, however, if enough is done in that portfolio between now and election day, it may be over looked that Ms. Wilson Raybould is no longer in Cabinet. What will be really interesting is if she runs in the next election as a Liberal, an independent, or an NDP.
I wonder if she will even run at all, e.a.f.
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