08 March 2019 - 13:14Ottawa — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denied interfering in Canada’s judicial system, on Thursday, as he sought to defuse a crisis threatening his political future, and offered no apology, asserting only that lessons had been learnt.
Trudeau came to power in November 2015 promising “sunny ways”, more accountability and a greater number of women in the cabinet. Yet two, high-powered female ministers have quit over the case and he now finds himself accused of trying to arrange a backroom deal with a major company. The crisis has prompted the resignations of Wilson-Raybould, treasury board president Jane Philpott and Trudeau’s closest political aide, Gerald Butts.
Some Liberal legislators complained privately that Trudeau’s team mishandled the matter. One senior party member, who had previously voiced concerns, said Trudeau was right not to apologise. Wilson-Raybould told the Canadian House of Commons justice committee last week that officials, citing the need to protect jobs, kept on pressing her to think again even after she made clear she felt the company needed to face a trial.