FELDSTED: In the sea of sleaze surrounding the Lavalin scandal, it is difficult for an observer to sort facts from fiction due to the sheer volume of fiction

Observing two months of SNC-Lavalin scandal has become a tiresome, soul-destroying trek. Make no mistake; this is a full-blown scandal of the sort that destroys governments, political careers and political parties.

There is ample evidence that the Prime Minister’s Office engaged in a campaign of coercion and threats to convince the Attorney General to intervene in our independent justice system and give Lavalin an escape from criminal proceedings.

When the Attorney General appeared before the Justice Committee and gave evidence of pressure put on her, Michel Wernick and Gerald Butts were called to testify that the Attorney General misinterpreted their efforts and did not understand their intent. Their efforts were aimed at diminishing the Attorney General’s character.

The Attorney General countered by producing further evidence to support her testimony which included the recording of a telephone conversation with Michael Wernick. Liberals leapt on the recording like drowning rats on floating debris. They condemned and denounced Wilson-Raybould having made the recording without Wernick’s consent or knowledge.

Wernick was engaged in intimidation of and threats to an elected representative and an officer of the crown. He was acting on behalf of the PMO which was engaged in an effort to interfere in the administration of justice. The Liberal caucus ignored all that and feasted on the former Attorney General like a school of piranha. They had an excuse to avoid having to answer embarrassing questions.

The media is now filled with rumours of the former Attorney General’s alleged demands on the Prime Minister and other shady dealings. The piranhas are not sated yet and will not be until Wilson-Raybould’s reputations is utterly destroyed.     

We cannot know that Jody Wilson-Raybould is blameless or that she does not have things she should be held accountable for. In the sea of sleaze surrounding the Lavalin scandal, it is difficult for an observer to sort facts from fiction due to the sheer volume of fiction.

We do know that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, through his PMO minions, was determined to make a political decisions on who will and will not be prosecuted for criminal activity. That concept is appalling. It is too close to political decisions to prosecute innocent people for alleged crimes. That is not a power any government can be allowed to hold in a lawful democracy.

The resignation of Gerald Butts and retirement of Wernick were not accidental or unrelated to the Lavalin scandal. Butts keep reappearing like a ghostly spectre from an old horror movie. He is active, bold and engaged for someone who allegedly resigned from the PMO. What else are we not being told?  

The Prime Minister sending appointed PMO operatives to represent his government, rather than his Ministers or other elected representatives, is troubling. His failure to personally confront accusations of improper conduct head-on is perplexing.

Errors can be forgiven; deceit cannot.

The government caucus is congratulating itself on having rid itself of Wilson-Raybould and Philpott, who broke the rules of caucus and cabinet solidarity (and secrecy) which is apparently unforgivable. Caucus members have chosen to continue swimming in a murky sea of sleazy, secret, under-the-table dealings which is not what the people who cast ballots expect of them.

They have failed us -- actions speak louder than words.

John Feldsted

Political Consultant & Strategist

Winnipeg, Manitoba