House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2025, with 42% of the vote.
Justice March 1st, 2019
Mr. Speaker, we know that one of the first discussions the new Minister of Justice had at the Prime Minister's Office focused on a special agreement for SNC-Lavalin to avoid a criminal trial.
Who did he talk to? Was it Gerald Butts, Katie Telford, Mathieu Bouchard or someone else?
Why will he not answer the question?
Justice March 1st, 2019
Mr. Speaker, the former attorney general told us that she received a call from the Prime Minister on January 7 to inform her that she would be shuffled to a new department. She was sure it was because of the SNC-Lavalin situation.
What is more, the clerk told the deputy minister that one of the first discussions with the new minister would be about SNC-Lavalin. Later, the new Minister of Justice said that he did indeed discuss the file with representatives of the Prime Minister's Office.
Can he at least name these mysterious people from the Prime Minister's Office?
Alleged Interference in Justice System February 28th, 2019
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his somewhat convoluted speech.
I would like to know what he thinks of the tweet posted yesterday by the member for Brossard—Saint-Lambert, who spoke just before he did. In response to a tweet from Patrice Roy, from Radio-Canada's Téléjournal, she said, “Just because she says it does not make it true. I am sorry, but part of being an adult is accepting that major responsibilities come with 'pressure' that is entirely legitimate.”
Does my colleague, who is so pure and innocent, accept this kind of public comment?
Alleged Interference in Justice System February 28th, 2019
Madam Speaker, my colleague talked about remediation agreements and their provisions. The order in council currently prevents the former attorney general from talking about the discussions she had with the director of public prosecutions.
That is the crux of the matter. We do not know why the director of public prosecutions refused to grant SNC-Lavalin a remediation agreement.
Can my colleague tell us why?
Justice February 28th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights will call on the 11 people mentioned in the former attorney general's testimony, and I hope that the Liberals will agree to let those 11 people appear.
However, in response to the former attorney general's testimony, the Prime Minister said that he completely disagreed with her when she stated that Gerry Butts told her that there was no solution that did not involve some interference.
Does that mean the Prime Minister is disputing what the former attorney general said?
Justice February 28th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, it is clear. They do not dispute it. They admit it. In her testimony, the former attorney general of Canada said various officials urged me to take partisan political considerations into account, which it was clearly improper for me to do.
Can the Prime Minister tell us whether he disputes her testimony?
Justice February 27th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, no one should be breaking the law to protect jobs.
On December 19, the Prime Minister and his cabinet had lunch with the Clerk of the Privy Council. Later in the day, the clerk called the former attorney general to ask her to stop the trial. The Prime Minister, his chief of staff, his principal secretary and the Clerk of the Privy Council are all involved.
What lawful authority did the Prime Minister have to instruct the clerk to put pressure on the former attorney general? Canadians want to know.
Justice February 27th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has expressed his admiration for dictators and some might say that he wants to lead Canada in that way.
In the SNC-Lavalin case, the former attorney general wanted to enforce the law, but that did not suit the Prime Minister. He, his chief of staff, his principal secretary, and even the Clerk of the Privy Council pressured the former attorney general to halt the trial, which began on October 29.
What lawful authority did the Prime Minister have to get his collaborators to talk to the former attorney general's staff on December 18?
Justice February 26th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, that line is getting old.
One thing is for sure: The committee is ready, but the Prime Minister has refused to testify. We also know the Prime Minister and his team pressured the former attorney general to halt criminal proceedings against SNC-Lavalin.
They did not see eye to eye on that, so what did the Prime Minister do? He gave her the boot.
Now Canadians know that their self-styled feminist, transparent government is nothing but a joke.
Once again, by what lawful authority did the Prime Minister attempt to halt criminal proceedings against SNC-Lavalin?
Justice February 26th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons often talks about what is happening at the justice committee.
In fact, yesterday afternoon, retired judge Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond testified that all public officials must be able to point to lawful authority for their actions.
In light of this, could the Prime Minister, who refuses to appear in committee, tell us whether he attempted to stop the criminal trial of a company charged with corruption, without regard for lawful authority?