Jane Philpott Resigns From Trudeau Cabinet Amid SNC-Lavalin Affair
TORONTO — Jane Philpott has stepped down from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet.
Philpott announced her decision to resign as Treasury Board president in a statement Monday. After some reflection, she said, it became clear it would be "untenable" for her to continue to serve as a minister.
"I have been considering the events that have shaken the federal government in recent weeks and after serious reflection, I have concluded that I must resign as a member of cabinet," she wrote.
She specifically cited the Liberals' handling of the SNC-Lavalin affair and its treatment of former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould, whose explosive testimony before the House of Commons justice committee last week has spurred Conservative calls for Trudeau to resign.
Watch: Jody Wilson-Raybould says she faced 'veiled threats,' sustained pressure over SNC-Lavalin
"It is a fundamental doctrine of the rule of law that our attorney general should not be subjected to political pressure or interference regarding the exercise of her prosecutorial discretion in criminal cases," Philpott said.
"Sadly, I have lost confidence in how the government has dealt with this matter and in how it has responded to the issues raised."
She cited the constitutional convention of cabinet solidarity, saying ministers are expected to publicly defend all decisions made around the table.
It grieves me to resign from a portfolio where I was at work to deliver an important mandate. I must abide by my core values, my ethical responsibilities, constitutional obligations. There can be a cost to acting on one's principles, but there is a bigger cost to abandoning them. pic.twitter.com/EwO5dtdgG6
— Jane Philpott (@janephilpott) March 4, 2019
"Unfortunately, the evidence of efforts by politicians and/or officials to pressure the former Attorney General to intervene in the criminal case involving SNC-Lavalin, and the evidence as to the content of those efforts have raised serious concerns for me."
The Markham-Stouffville MP indicated that she will continue to serve as a Liberal MP.
Prime Minister's Office spokesman Cameron Ahmad confirmed that Philpott told Trudeau of her decision on Monday.
"The prime minister accepted her resignation, and thanked Ms. Philpott for her years of service to Canadians and her dedication."
Ahmad said Carla Qualtrough, the minister of public services and procurement, will "immediately" serve as acting president of the Treasury Board.
Philpott was tapped to serve as Treasury Board president in January, replacing Scott Brison. She previously served as health minister and minister of Indigenous services, and was widely seen as one of Trudeau's most capable ministers.
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When Wilson-Raybould abruptly quit as veterans affairs minister in January, Philpott shared a photo to Twitter thanking her former cabinet colleague for all that she taught her, "particularly about Indigenous history, rights and justice."
You taught me so much - particularly about Indigenous history, rights and justice. I'm proud of the laws we worked on together - C14 (assisted dying), C37 (harm reduction), C45 (public health approach to cannabis) and so much more. I know you will continue to serve Canadians. pic.twitter.com/veQ0ATPcz1
— Jane Philpott (@janephilpott) February 13, 2019
Wilson-Raybould testified last week that she endured four months of "consistent and sustained" pressure from government officials to help SNC-Lavalin avoid a criminal trial through a remediation agreement. She said the pressure was exerted by Trudeau, his key staffers, members of the finance minister's office, and Canada's top public servant.
Wilson-Raybould said a fall provincial election in Quebec, Trudeau's status as a Quebec MP, and the upcoming general election campaign were all raised in various discussions long after she had decided not to help SNC-Lavalin secure the deal.
The Vancouver Granville MP said that in one key September meeting, she directly asked the prime minister if he was politically interfering with her role as attorney general. She said in her testimony that Trudeau responded by saying, "No, No, No – we just need to find a solution."
Trudeau has said he "completely disagrees" with Wilson-Raybould's version of events. His former principal secretary Gerald Butts is expected to testify before the committee on the matter Wednesday.
WIlson-Raybould's fate in Liberal caucus unclear
SNC-Lavalin, a Quebec-based construction and engineering giant, is facing foreign bribery and corruption charges. It is facing the possibility of a 10-year ban on federal contracts.
Wilson-Raybould was shuffled to veterans affairs in January. She subsequently resigned from cabinet less than a month later, days after The Globe And Mail published allegations that she faced pressure from the Prime Minister's Office on the SNC-Lavalin case.
Speaking to reporters in Charlottetown, P.E.I. Monday, Trudeau would not say if Wilson-Raybould — who declined to affirm her confidence in him as prime minister — will stay party of the Liberal caucus much longer. Wilson-Raybould told CBC News over the weekend she intends to re-offer as a Grit in the next election.
"This is obviously not a situation or a decision to be taken lightly and we will continue to reflect and work on this issue," he said when asked about Wilson-Raybould's future.
Listen: HuffPost Canada's 'Follow-Up' podcast unpacks Wilson-Raybould's testimony