Do you agree with me, sir, that a corrupt intent is not an essential ingredient to the mens rea requirement under section 139? In fact, all you need to prove is that it criminalizes deliberate acts that seek to obstruct, interfere or hinder the pursuit of justice. In this case, the pursuit of justice is that Jody Wilson-Raybould had the courage to say that the Prime Minister was not going to influence her and that she was not going to give a remediation agreement to a corporate entity in Quebec that had some serious criminal charges. You can understand and appreciate why—
On October 24th, 2023. See this statement in context.