Hearings into SNCLavalin affair start today, but not with WilsonRaybould

The House of Commons justice committee is to begin hearings today into the allegation that the Prime Minister's Office improperly pressured former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould to help S-N-C-Lavalin avoid criminal prosecution.

Wilson-Raybould has been invited to testify, but likely won't appear until Monday.

She has repeatedly cited solicitor-client privilege to refuse comment on the allegation.

The Liberal-dominated committee wants to hear first from academics about the legal principles underpinning Wilson-Raybould's resignation from cabinet last week.

There will also be questions about the departure of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's most trusted aide -- principal secretary Gerald Butts.

Opposition members maintain the hearings will be meaningless unless Trudeau waives solicitor-client privilege to allow Wilson-Raybould to speak freely.

They also want senior officials in his office, including Butts, called to testify.

M-Ps are also to vote on a non-binding N-D-P motion calling for a public inquiry into the affair and the waiving of solicitor-client privilege.