Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is sticking to the message that his government will stand up for jobs, the economy, and the rule of law, as he faces continuing questions about the SNC Lavalin affair.
Trudeau was questioned at a stop in St. John’s, Nfld. Friday about Thursday’s testimony by Privy Council Clerk Michael Wernick before the House of Commons Justice Committee.
Wernick says there was absolutely no improper pressure and any information Wilson-Raybould got was to ensure she had the context she needed to decide what to do.
But Wernick stressed Wilson-Raybould was always told the final decision was hers.
When questioned about Wernick’s comments Friday–particularly on the fact that, under the legislation that governs deferred prosecution agreements, the Public Prosecutor cannot take national economic interest into account into its decision in cases like this–Trudeau repeated a previous statement about standing up for the economy.
“One of the fundamental responsibilities of any government is to look for good jobs, to defend jobs, and to make sure that our economy is growing in ways that give a real and fair chance to everyone,” he said. “We, of course, do that at all times, in respecting the independence of our judiciary, in respecting the rule of law, in upholding and defending our institutions, and we will always do that.”
Trudeau was pressed further on whether he thought the conversations with former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould that Wernick referenced Thursday were inappropriate. He then pointed to the investigations that are underway.
“We have mechanisms to look into exactly those kinds of issues,” he said. “We have an ethics commissioner who is pursuing an investigation, we have a parliamentary committee […] which will allow parliamentarians and others to hear the different perspectives and understand this important issue that is before them.”
He then repeated that his government will always stand up for jobs and defend economic growth while maintaining the rule of law.
On Wernick, Trudeau called him an “extraordinary public servant” and said Canadians should listen to him when he chooses to speak publicly.
With files from the Canadian Press.