OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau's Liberal government was rocked Monday by the resignation of his principal secretary, Gerald Butts, amid allegations that the Prime Minister's Office interfered to prevent a criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin.
The departure of the prime minister's most trusted aide comes just eight months before a federal election. Butts was expected to play as big a role in the Liberals' bid for a second mandate as he did in getting them their first.
In a statement, Butts unequivocally denied the accusation that he or anyone else in the office improperly pressured former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould to help the Montreal engineering giant avoid a criminal case on corruption charges related to government contracts in Libya.
Nevertheless, Butts said the allegation is distracting from the "vital work" Trudeau is doing, so it's in the best interests of the Prime Minister's Office for him to step aside.
PM Trudeau's principal secretary and longtime friend Gerald Butts resigns (https://t.co/ZKpwx37MsN) and more than 100 Canadians are flown to safety from a compound in Haiti (https://t.co/9GKVuEUPmF). For more top stories, visit https://t.co/ZcgZjmFml0 pic.twitter.com/YXPHc74ngn
— CTV News (@CTVNews) February 18, 2019
"I categorically deny the accusation that I or anyone else in his office pressured Ms. Wilson-Raybould ... At all times, I and those around me acted with integrity and singular focus on the best interests of all Canadians," he said.
"Any accusation that I or the staff put pressure on the attorney general is simply not true ... But the fact is that this accusation exists. It cannot and should not take one moment away from the vital work the prime minister and his office is doing for all Canadians.
"My reputation is my responsibility and that is for me to defend. It is in the best interests of the office and its important work for me to step away."
Gerald Butts served this government - and our country - with integrity, sage advice and devotion. I want to thank him for his service and continued friendship. Please read his statement today: pic.twitter.com/VIaEHJMMe4
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 18, 2019
Wilson-Raybould, who was demoted from justice to the veterans affairs post in January, resigned from Trudeau's cabinet last week. She has not explained why she quit and she has cited solicitor-client privilege to refuse comment on the allegation, levelled by anonymous sources in a Globe and Mail story 10 days ago, that she was improperly pressured to help SNC-Lavalin. She has hired a former Supreme Court justice to advise her on what she may legally say.
Trudeau has denied anyone pressured Wilson-Raybould to instruct the director of public prosecutions to negotiate a remediation agreement with SNC-Lavalin, a kind of plea bargain in which a company pays restitution but avoids criminal prosecution that could bankrupt it.
Justin Trudeau’s SNC-Lavalin Affair may not just be a scandal – it could be a crime. That’s what former Liberal Attorney General Michael Bryant said this week. Conservatives won’t stop until we get to the bottom of this! pic.twitter.com/p4wxCuT6VK
— Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) February 19, 2019
But Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said Butts' departure "is the clearest indication yet that there is much more" to the affair than Trudeau has admitted.
"The events of the last several days and the ensuing chaos that has engulfed the government are signs that the prime minister is desperate to keep the truth hidden," Scheer said in a statement. "Justin Trudeau must stop hiding behind other people and end the coverup he and his office have engineered since these allegations surfaced."
“For [Gerald Butts] to resign means that this scandal is extremely serious and the government appears to be covering up the truth,” says @PierrePoilievre reacting to the resignation of @JustinTrudeau’s principal secretary #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/3uuuGqN6fa
— Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) February 18, 2019
Both Scheer and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called on Trudeau to waive solicitor-client privilege to allow Wilson-Raybould to tell her side of the story.
The departure of Wilson-Raybould, Canada's first Indigenous justice minister and the embodiment of Trudeau's commitment to reconciliation with First Nations, was a big blow to the Liberals. But Butts' exit is arguably an even bigger one.
“It does point to potentially an admission of something that was done improperly. Given the timing it really calls into question why he’s resigning at this point in time,” says @theJagmeetSingh about the resignation of @JustinTrudeau’s principal secretary Gerald Butts #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/Dcf7w8yQw4
— Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) February 18, 2019
He has been close friends with Trudeau since their student days at McGill University in Montreal. He was instrumental in organizing Trudeau's successful leadership bid in 2013 and was one of two key architects — along with Katie Telford, now Trudeau's chief of staff — of the Liberals' stunning come-from-behind election victory in 2015.
Since 2015, Butts has been Trudeau's closest and most trusted adviser. Opposition critics have painted Butts as a Svengali-like puppet master and even some Liberal backbenchers have privately resented the power and influence he wielded.
"Gerry Butts is the architect of the sunny ways political revolution and I think today is the day that sunny ways died," says @CharlieAngusNDP on the resignation of Gerald Butts #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/egGNawA85c
— Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) February 18, 2019
Butts is one of several Trudeau aides the opposition parties had wanted to call before the House of Commons justice committee to testify on what happened in the SNC-Lavalin affair. Liberal MPs on the committee used their majority last week to limit the scope of the committee's inquiry to three witnesses — not including Wilson-Raybould, Butts or any other of Trudeau's staffers — and to the legal principles underpinning the controversy.
Those principles include the recently added Criminal Code provision, which made it legal to negotiate remediation agreements in cases of corporate corruption, and the so-called Shawcross doctrine, which spells out the degree to which an attorney general may consult with cabinet colleagues about a prosecution.
The committee is to meet behind closed doors Tuesday to discuss, among other things, possible additional witnesses.
Singh announced Monday that the NDP will propose a motion in the House of Commons calling for an independent inquiry led by a former judge, which will be put to MPs for a vote on Wednesday. Motions are not binding on the government, however.
"I'm very disappointed to see Gerry Butts go cause he is a public servant that worked very hard for the country," says @MonaFortier on Gerald Butts’ resignation. "This is a tough day seeing him go." #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/Ms2eFY66dY
— Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) February 18, 2019
Butts has been chief among those whom opposition parties suspect were behind the alleged pressure on Wilson-Raybould. He has confirmed that Wilson-Raybould briefly raised the SNC-Lavalin matter during a meeting in early December. Butts has said that he advised her to speak with the clerk of the Privy Council, Michael Wernick.
In his statement Monday, Butts spoke positively of his relationship with Wilson-Raybould.
"I encouraged her to run for the Liberal Party of Canada and worked hard to support her as a candidate and then cabinet minister. From my perspective, our relationship has always been defined by mutual respect, candour and an honest desire to work together."
Butts says he's served Trudeau "to the best of my abilities and I have at all times given the prime minister free and unfettered advice.
"I have served the public interest, not the interests of any individual or any narrow private interest of any kind, at any time. Life is full of uncertainties but I am absolutely certain of that."
Trudeau paid homage to his old friend in a tweet: "Gerald Butts served this government — and our country — with integrity, sage advice and devotion. I want to thank him for his service and continued friendship."
As I've said long ago and recently: Housecleaning of PMO needed. Butts down, Telford to go. #Butts #Telford #Trudeau #cdnpoli #Libpoli
— Ujjal Dosanjh (@ujjaldosanjh) February 18, 2019
Trudeau’s principal secretary, Gerald Butts, resigns amid SNC-Lavalin furor | National Newswatch https://t.co/XV6BKHvgBH
TEXT OF STATEMENT FROM GERALD BUTTS, WHO RESIGNED AS PM'S PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
OTTAWA — Gerald Butts, principal secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his friend since university days, issued this statement Monday afternoon:
I have resigned as Principal Secretary to The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, PC, MP, Prime Minister of Canada. He has accepted my resignation.
Recently, anonymous sources have alleged that I pressured the former Attorney General, The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, to assist SNC-Lavalin with being considered for a deferred prosecution agreement. I categorically deny the accusation that I or anyone else in his office pressured Ms. Wilson-Raybould. We honoured the unique role of the Attorney General. At all times, I and those around me acted with integrity and a singular focus on the best interests of all Canadians.
The Prime Minister of Canada's Office is much larger and more important than any of its staff. I have served it to the best of my abilities, and I have at all times given the Prime Minister free and unfettered advice. I have served the public interest, not the interests of any individual or any narrow private interest of any kind, at any time. Life is full of uncertainties, but I am absolutely certain of that.
Any accusation that I or the staff put pressure on the Attorney General is simply not true. Canadians are rightly proud of their public institutions. They should be, because they work. But the fact is that this accusation exists. It cannot and should not take one moment away from the vital work the Prime Minister and his office is doing for all Canadians. My reputation is my responsibility and that is for me to defend. It is in the best interests of the office and its important work for me to step away.
I want to say a word about my relationship with Ms. Wilson-Raybould. I encouraged her to run for the Liberal Party of Canada, and worked hard to support her as a candidate and then Cabinet Minister. From my perspective, our relationship has always been defined by mutual respect, candour and an honest desire to work together.
On a personal note, I wish to thank the Prime Minister for the opportunity to work with him, his Cabinet and the Liberal Caucus. They are great people who are dedicated to improving their country. I also want to thank my colleague, Katie Telford. The last seven years simply do not happen without her. Nobody knows that more than I do. And to my colleagues in the PMO, it has been the highest honour of my professional life to have worked together with all of you on behalf of all Canadians. I wish them all well, and they have my full support.
I also need to say this (and I know it's a non sequitur). Our kids and grandkids will judge us on one issue above all others. That issue is climate change. I hope the response to it becomes the collective, non-partisan, urgent effort that science clearly says is required. I hope that happens soon.
Every hard problem requires a thoughtful, collaborative solution from the country it affects. Those solutions in turn depend on good, hard-working people who devote their time and energy to public service. Canada has those people in abundance.
While it is fashionable sometimes in some quarters to denigrate politicians and public servants, my experience is that the women and men who serve Canadians in elected office and the professional public service are honest, decent, hard-working people who put service of country beyond self every day. Life is many days, and there are hard days in public life, but there are no bad ones. I hope I did the job in a way that would have made my parents proud and will make my children consider public service.
This latest resignation shows a gov’t in chaos as Trudeau desperately tries to cover up this scandal. Canadians are rightly concerned about the allegations of political interference in a criminal prosecution. Trudeau needs to stop hiding behind other people and come clean. https://t.co/4yneSa0dVP
— Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) February 18, 2019
TIMELINE: SNC-LAVALIN AND JODY WILSON-RAYBOULD
The RCMP lays corruption and fraud charges against Montreal-based engineering and construction firm SNC-Lavalin, over allegations it used bribery to get government business in Libya. SNC-Lavalin says the charges are without merit and stem from "alleged reprehensible deeds by former employees who left the company long ago." A conviction would bar the company from bidding on Canadian government business, potentially devastating it.
Oct. 19 — The Liberals win a federal election, taking power from the Conservatives. Two weeks later, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau names Jody Wilson-Raybould minister of justice and attorney general of Canada. She is the first Indigenous person to hold the post, which combines duties as a politician (heading the Department of Justice) and a legal official (overseeing prosecutions).
Spring 2018 — The federal Liberals table and pass a budget bill that includes a change to the Criminal Code allowing "remediation agreements," plea-bargain-like deals between prosecutors and accused corporations in which they can avoid criminal proceedings by making reparations for previous bad behaviour. SNC-Lavalin lobbies for such an agreement, including by meeting with officials in the Prime Minister's Office.
Oct. 9, 2018 — Federal prosecutors refuse to offer SNC-Lavalin a remediation agreement, a decision the company challenges in court. That challenge is ongoing.
Jan. 14, 2019 — Trudeau shuffles his cabinet after the resignation of treasury board president Scott Brison. Wilson-Raybould is moved from Justice to Veterans Affairs, widely seen as a demotion. David Lametti, a Montreal MP who was formerly a law professor, becomes justice minister. Wilson-Raybould posts a long letter outlining her record as justice minister and noting that a great deal of work remains to be done toward reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
Feb. 7 — Citing unnamed sources, the Globe and Mail newspaper reports that Trudeau's aides "attempted to press Jody Wilson-Raybould when she was justice minister to intervene in the corruption and fraud prosecution of Montreal engineering and construction giant SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.," and that exasperation with her lack of co-operation was one reason for shuffling her out of the justice portfolio. Trudeau denies any impropriety. Citing solicitor-client privilege, Wilson-Raybould refuses to speak about dealings she had on the case when she was attorney general.
Feb. 11 — Federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion says he's beginning an investigation. At a public appearance in Vancouver, Trudeau says he's spoken to Wilson-Raybould and confirmed with her that he said any decision on the SNC-Lavalin prosecution was entirely hers. Her continued presence in his cabinet speaks for itself, he says.
Feb. 12 — Wilson-Raybould resigns as Veterans Affairs minister and says she's hired former Supreme Court justice Thomas Cromwell to advise her on the limits of solicitor-client privilege in this case. In Winnipeg, Trudeau says he's surprised and disappointed that Wilson-Raybould has quit, and that if she felt undue pressure in her role as attorney general, she had a duty to report it to him.
Feb. 13 — The House of Commons justice committee debates its own probe of the issue. Liberals use their majority to call one closed-door meeting and hear from senior officials (Lametti as justice minister, the top bureaucrat in his department, and the clerk of the Privy Council) who can talk about the tension between the minister of justice's duties as a politician and his or her responsibilities as attorney general of Canada. The Liberals say this is a first step in a cautious investigation; the opposition calls it a coverup.
Feb. 15 — Trudeau says in Ottawa that Wilson-Raybould asked him in September whether he would direct her one way or another on the SNC-Lavalin question; he says he told her he would not.
Feb. 18 — Trudeau's closest adviser and longtime friend Gerald Butts resigns as his principal secretary. He denies any impropriety but says his continued presence in the Prime Minister's Office has become a distraction.
