Prime Minister Trudeau says he reviewed the testimony given to Commons Justice Committee, by the various parties including his former Attorney General, former Principal secretary and the Privy Council Clerk.
He says all of the testimony recalled various interactions, about how to tackle a challenging issue and one thing became very clear, “Over the past months, there was an erosion of trust between my office and specifically my former Principal Secretary and the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General. I was not aware of that erosion of trust. As the Prime Minister and Leader of the Federal Ministry, I should have been.”
Trudeau also maintains there was no “inappropriate pressure” put on Wilson-Raybould to consider a deferred prosecution for SNC-Lavalin, contrary to the former AG’s testimony.
“Obviously, reflecting on lessons learned from this. Anytime we go through periods of internal disagreement and indeed challenges to internal trust as we have, there are things we have to reflect on and understand and do better next time.”
He adds, “One of the things, central to my leadership is fostering an environment where my ministers, caucus and staff feel comfortable coming to me when they have concerns. Indeed, I expect them, to do so. In Ms. Wilson-Raybould’s case, she did not come to me and I wish she had.”.
Trudeau has asked for outside opinions on the dual role of the Justice Minister and Attorney General, as well as the operating policies for cabinet ministers and staff related to dealings on judicial matters.
He believes the government will be stronger having wrestled with these issues.
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