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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

FELDSTED: Whether Wilson-Raybould and Philpott would have remained in the government caucus is a side-show. It makes no difference to examination of the core issue



Gerald Butts Gives Justice Committee Notes, Texts About SNC-Lavalin
Canadian Press ~~ Huff Post ~~ 03/31/2019

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's former principal secretary Gerald Butts says he has provided notes and text messages to the House of Commons justice committee in response to evidence filed last week by former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould on the ongoing SNC-Lavalin controversy.

In a tweet published today, Butts says he has handed over notes and texts between himself and Wilson-Raybould after having reviewed the materials she submitted last week.

CLICK HERE to read full story


Why should we care what Gerald Butts has to say?

He was a paid clerk in the Prime Minister’s office (PMO) prior to quitting when the Lavalin scandal heated up. He is appointed, not elected and unaccountable to the public. He does the bidding of his employer and is essentially a carrier of water not craftsmen of policy and directors of operations. He cannot speak for the government or for the Prime Minister.

The people we need to hear from, those who we elected and will hold accountable in October, are absent and silent. If Mr. Butts was integral to setting government direction and policy, the Prime Minister has to confirm that he does not get direction from his cabinet. We need to know.

We should not have to speculate on which government Ministers support the concept of allowing corporations facing criminal charges, to buy their way out of a trial.

Why do they believe that opening Canada as a haven for crooks and scoundrels will attract ethical and honest business and investments?


The core issue of the SNC Lavalin scandal is whether or not we will maintain an independent justice system free from political interference. All of the communications, Justice Committee testimony, and he said - she said melodrama is aimed at avoiding the core issue.

Whether Wilson-Raybould and Philpott would have remained in the government caucus or not is a side-show. It makes no difference to examination of the core issue.

The government position that it has a duty to interfere in the Lavalin prosecution to ‘save jobs’ is hogwash. We are asked to believe that saving Lavalin jobs warrants interference in the administration of justice but saving jobs for people employed by law abiding corporations does not. Hogwash.

Government Ministers and caucus members are indignantly and piously chastising Wilson-Raybould for having recorded, without warning, a conversation with Michael Wernick ... an individual who was engaged in unlawful attempts to interfere in the justice process.

The double standard reeks of hypocrisy.

I do not think much of a government that creates a legal loophole for corporations accused of crimes. The failure to provide critics and the public with a compelling, rational and reasonable explanation of why that is necessary raises suspicions of bribery and cronyism.

Prove us wrong or apologize and rescind the offending legislation.


John Feldsted
Political Consultant & Strategist
Winnipeg, Manitoba



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