Justin Trudeau might finally face justice after a Canadian watchdog group calls for an independent prosecutor to investigate his alleged obstruction in the SNC-Lavalin scandal, as Liberal MPs continue blocking RCMP testimony about the affair.
At a Glance
- Democracy Watch has requested Ontario’s Attorney General appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate Justin Trudeau for attempting to undermine the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin
- The RCMP is criticized for conducting a “superficial investigation” without interviewing key witnesses or obtaining critical Cabinet communications
- Former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould testified she faced inappropriate pressure from Trudeau and his officials to intervene in the criminal case
- SNC-Lavalin pleaded guilty to fraud in 2019 and was fined $280 million for bribery schemes in Libya
- A retired superior court justice supports the call for prosecution on potential charges of Obstruction of Justice and Breach of Trust
Watchdog Demands Independent Investigation After RCMP Failure
Democracy Watch, a prominent Canadian accountability organization, is taking direct aim at what they call a whitewashed investigation into Justin Trudeau’s conduct during the SNC-Lavalin affair. The group has formally requested Ontario’s Attorney General Doug Downey appoint an independent special prosecutor to review evidence against the former Prime Minister, citing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s spectacular failure to conduct a legitimate investigation. This latest push comes as Liberal MPs recently voted to prevent the RCMP from even testifying about the scandal, raising serious questions about what they’re trying to hide from the Canadian public.
“The RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) did a very superficial investigation into the Trudeau Cabinet’s obstruction of the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin” and “didn’t even interview many witnesses or try to obtain key secret Cabinet communication records, and buried the investigation with an almost two-year delay, and then made a behind-closed-doors, very questionable decision not to prosecute anyone.” – Duff Conacher
The engineering giant at the center of this controversy, SNC-Lavalin (now rebranded as AtkinsRéalis), pleaded guilty in 2019 to fraud charges and was fined a whopping $280 million for its bribery operations in Libya during Muammar el-Qaddafi’s regime. What’s particularly concerning is how the Trudeau government seemingly bent over backward attempting to shield this corrupt corporation from facing the full legal consequences of its actions. This entire debacle raises serious questions about whether powerful corporations with the right political connections can simply buy their way out of justice in Canada.
Political Interference and Obstruction Allegations
At the heart of this scandal are troubling allegations that Trudeau and his officials inappropriately pressured then-Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould to intervene in the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin. Wilson-Raybould’s explosive testimony revealed she faced consistent pressure from Trudeau’s team to pursue a “remediation agreement” – essentially a get-out-of-jail-free card that would allow SNC-Lavalin to avoid trial. When she refused to bow to this pressure and upheld the independence of Canada’s justice system, she was removed from her position in a cabinet shuffle that many viewed as direct retaliation.
Good morning, my fellow Canadians. Today, we're not just scratching the surface; we're diving deep into the murky depths of a saga that's been smoldering in the shadows for half a decade. Welcome to the lingering specter of the SNC-Lavalin affair, a tale of two justices: one for… pic.twitter.com/vLUTvN6V5v
— Dan Knight (@DanKnightMMA) February 28, 2024
“The RCMP lacks independence from the Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers who handpick the RCMP Commissioner and deputy commissioners and division heads through a secretive process, and they all serve at the pleasure of the Cabinet so they are vulnerable to political interference, which is likely part of the reason the RCMP rolled over and let Trudeau off” – Duff Conacher
The ethics commissioner already found Trudeau violated federal ethics laws in this case, but watchdog groups argue that’s not nearly enough. Democracy Watch suggests forming a committee of non-partisan individuals to appoint an Independent Special Prosecutor to thoroughly review the evidence against Trudeau, with potential charges including Obstruction of Justice and Breach of Trust. The application for prosecution has garnered support from a retired superior court justice, indicating the serious legal merit behind these allegations. A hearing is now scheduled in Ottawa to determine the next procedural steps for this prosecution.
Calls for Transparency and Reform
Democracy Watch is pushing for a public inquiry to investigate not just Trudeau’s actions but also the RCMP’s handling of the case and its questionable decision not to prosecute. Their call highlights a fundamental flaw in Canada’s system: the Prime Minister and Cabinet appoint RCMP leadership, creating an inherent conflict of interest when investigating those same officials. This arrangement practically ensures political interference in what should be independent corruption investigations. What’s needed is a complete overhaul of how Canada handles allegations of corruption at the highest levels of government.
“Democracy Watch’s position is that the evidence and testimony of all witnesses should be considered by a judge in an open court hearing, and that is why it is applying for court approval to proceed with a private prosecution.” – Duff Conacher
Throughout this scandal, Trudeau has maintained his innocence, claiming “At no time did I or my office direct the current or previous attorney general to make any particular decision in this matter.” However, the ethics commissioner’s findings and Wilson-Raybould’s testimony paint a very different picture – one of a Prime Minister willing to interfere with the independent judicial process to protect politically-connected corporate interests. As this case moves forward with a “speak to” hearing scheduled for March 28th, Canadians deserve to know whether their justice system can truly hold the powerful accountable or if some officials remain above the law.
