Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly considering a “statement of contrition” over allegations that he pressured a female, indigenous attorney general to abandon the investigation and prosecution of a Quebec company the Canadian government believed was engaging in fraud and corruption.
The CBC reports that Trudeau “is holding high-level discussions today to plot next steps in the ongoing SNC-Lavalin controversy — steps which may include Trudeau making some display of contrition over how officials in his office conducted themselves.”
Trudeau isn’t yet considering resignation, though it appears the scandal has weakened him considerably, and he still believes — despite considering an official apology — that the controversy stems from a “difference of opinion” rather than a potentially unlawful and unethical use of his office, according to the CBC.
That’s news to some of his cabinet ministers. His former attorney general, Jody Wilson-Raybould, who made the complaint about the SNC-Lavalin prosecution, was the first to resign several weeks ago. She eventually testified in front of Parliament — after Trudeau released her from the bounds of attorney-client privilege — that she felt intense pressure from the government to abandon her department’s investigations of SNC-Lavalin, a government action that violates both ethics rules and Canadian law.
U.S. News and World Report notes that a second Cabinet Minister resigned earlier this week, leaving Trudeau looking even weaker.
“A second member of Trudeau’s Cabinet resigned on Monday, saying she had lost confidence in how the government had dealt with allegations that officials inappropriately pressured former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould last year to try to help construction company SNC-Lavalin Group Inc avoid a trial on charges of bribing Libyan officials,” the outlet reported. “Treasury Board President Jane Philpott was one of the most respected members of government and political observers described her departure as a major blow.”
The Cabinet’s 33 other Ministers found it necessary Tuesday to express their public support for Trudeau, but “nervous Liberal legislators say Trudeau needs to make changes to his inner circle and complain about a lack of communication from top aides.”
Trudeau, U.S. News says, is digging in for the long haul. Conservatives seem poised to take over the government if he doesn’t, and there are few procedures for forcing a Prime Minister to step down. One estimate said it could take up to two years to force Trudeau out if he doesn’t resign of his own volition.
There is still information pouring out on Trudeau’s scandal, which seems to be motivating his political opponents to wait. Gerald Butts, one of Trudeau’s closest friends, was Trudeau’s chief aide until last month, when he resigned over the SNC-Lavalin allegations. He’s due to testify in front of the House of Commons judiciary committee next week about his role in allegedly pressuring the attorney general to close her office’s investigation. Based on what Butts says in his testimony, things may improve for Trudeau — or they may not.