Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's Political Crisis Widens As Top Aide And Friend Resigns



CBC: Gerald Butts resigns as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's principal secretary

In a major shakeup to the highest ranks of the Prime Minister's Office, Gerald Butts resigned Monday as Justin Trudeau's principal secretary.

The bombshell departure — Butts, along with chief of staff Katie Telford, are the two most senior staffers in Trudeau's inner circle — comes amid allegations that senior members of the PMO pressured former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to help Quebec-based multinational engineering firm SNC-Lavalin avoid criminal prosecution on bribery and fraud charges in relation to contracts in Libya.

In a statement to reporters, Butts said he categorically denies allegations that he or anyone else in the PMO put this sort of pressure on Wilson-Raybould. He said the accusation is "simply not true."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: If nothing is wrong .... why is the Trudeau government hiding behind privilege that does not permit the major players in this scandal the freedom to talk, and why the major resignations? It does not take a genius to know that there is more to this story than what is being told. As to what is my take. It looks like senior officials in the Prime Minister's office put pressure on the attorney general to make a deal on a criminal case involving a major Quebec corporation, and when she refused she was fired from her job.

More News On The SNC-Lavalin Scandal In Quebec

Trudeau's principal secretary Gerald Butts resigns -- CTV
Canada PM's chief secretary resigns amid SNC-Lavalin controversy -- Reuters
Justin Trudeau's top adviser resigns as 'political meddling' scandal widens -- The Guardian/AP
5 things to know about Gerald Butts, following his resignation from the PMO -- CBC
The hole that Gerry Butts leaves behind -- Stephen Maher, Macleans
Trudeau vulnerable in fall election amid growing damage from SNC-Lavalin file -- Chantal Hébert, Toronto Star
If no one did anything wrong why two resignations and a PMO in crisis mode? -- Kelly McParland, National Post

1 comment:

Bob Huntley said...

I hope when the new PM takes office he/she rehires Jody Wilson-Raybould.