FELDSTED: The hatchet job on Wilson-Raybould, by Michael Wernick (Clerk of the Privy Council and Canada’s top bureaucrat), is just cause for his immediate dismissal
The Canadian Press ~~ The National Post ~~ February
21, 2019
OTTAWA — Canada’s top bureaucrat launched a blunt
and vigorous defence Thursday of the government’s handling of the criminal
prosecution of SNC-Lavalin, declaring allegations of political interference to
be false and even defamatory.
He challenged former attorney general Jody
Wilson-Raybould’s assertion that solicitor-client privilege prevents her from
responding to the allegations that she was improperly pressured by the Prime
Minister’s Office to spare the Montreal engineering giant a criminal trial on
charges of corruption and bribery related to government contracts in Libya.
“I’m here to say to you that the Globe and Mail
article contains errors, unfounded speculation and, in some cases, is simply
defamatory,” Wernick told the committee.
From everything he knows, Wernick said the Prime
Minister’s Office handled the matter with integrity ...
Michael Wernick’s hatchet job on Wilson-Raybould is
just cause for his immediate dismissal.
No public servant is ever in a position to attack
an elected representative, or the Attorney General who heads the Justice arm of
government, which is separate and independent of the Administrative and
Legislative sections of government.
Wernick has no legal training and is not capable of
discerning what constitutes pressure on or interference with the administration
of justice. His contention that Wilson-Raybould has no solicitor-client
privilege as part of her position as Attorney General is not credible.
“I’m here to
say to you that the Globe and Mail article contains errors, unfounded speculation
and, in some cases, is simply defamatory,” Wernick told the committee.
It is outrageous for the Privy Council Clerk to
suggest that the Globe and Mail has published inaccurate information and
defamation, and then to defame Wilson-Raybould, spewing unfounded speculation
on the tenor and intent of meetings between the Prime Minister and the Attorney
General.
Again, Mr. Wernick lacks the training and expertise
to make such judgements.
It is frightening that the Privy Council Clerk
feels comfortable telling the Justice Committee what the duties and
responsibilities of the Attorney General are.
He is part of
the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and a shining example of unelected advisors
and bureaucrats out of control and drunk on the power they think they have.
The Prime Ministers Office must be dismantled, and
restructured, in accordance with our constitution. Sections 11 and 13 of the
Constitution make it clear that the Privy Council is an advisory body to the
Governor General in his or her capacity as the Executive arm of government -- not
to the Prime Minister who heads the Administrative arm of government.
The post of Attorney General is not a government
Ministry like others; the Attorney General heads the Justice branch of government
which is independent, and separate, from the Administrative and Legislative
Branches.
The consternation over meetings between the Prime
Minister (and PMO) and Attorney General on SNC-Lavalin, is that there is no provision or justification for
any meeting to occur.
The Justice arm is independent, or it is not, and any
meeting to discuss a pending case or cases or an accused is inappropriate. It
is clear and simple. Wernick’s efforts to apply lipstick to this skunk
does not diminish the odour.
Both the PMO and PCO appear guilty of interference
with justice. His attempt to display ethical integrity is ridiculous. He cannot
meet with SNC-Lavalin and also attend meetings with the Attorney General to
discuss SNC-Lavalin and claim that there is no effort to influence justice. He
deserves an A+ for audacity as severance pay.
John Feldsted
Political Consultant
& Strategist
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Comments
Post a Comment