The situation is complicated for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a few months before the legislative elections. According to a report released on Wednesday, August 14, the head of the government violated the Conflict of Interest Act in an attempt to pressure his former justice minister into legal proceedings against SNC-Lavalin.
The report, drafted by a senior independent official reporting to Parliament, may spur the controversy over the scandal, which shook the Liberal government of Justin Trudeau earlier this year. He had led to the resignation of two of his ministers and the collapse of the Liberals in the voting intentions.
"The position of authority" by Justin Trudeau
The Canadian Prime Minister and his entourage were accused by former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, who is also the Attorney General, of "improper" pressure on her to avoid a criminal trial by the USG giant. SNC-Lavalin engineering, which she refused to do.
"The position of authority enjoyed by the Prime Minister and his cabinet was used to circumvent, to undermine and ultimately to try to discredit the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the authority of Mrs. Wilson-Raybould", said in a statement. a statement Mario Dion, Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
As a result, Justin Trudeau's entourage "improperly asked the Attorney General to take into account partisan political interests in this case, which runs counter to the well-established constitutional principles governing the independence of the prosecutor and the primacy of the Crown. of the law, "the statement said. "Mr. Trudeau was, in his capacity as Prime Minister, the only public office holder in a position to influence the decision of the Attorney General with respect to his possible involvement in a criminal prosecution case", continues communicated.
Next elections
SNC-Lavalin spent several months trying to obtain from the government an amicable settlement of the charges of fraud and corruption related to its activities in Libya, which would have allowed it to pay a fine and avoid further sanctions. severe in the event of conviction.
The Prime Minister has always denied having acted inappropriately, highlighting the many job losses related to this possible conviction, which would have deprived the company of lucrative public contracts, but his image has emerged tarnished by this case.
This political crisis that shakes the Trudeau government comes just months ahead of a legislative election scheduled for October, with an uncertain outcome for the ruling Liberal party.
With AFP