Conservative Candidate Calls on Yukon MP to Answer to Yukoners on SNC-Lavalin Scandal
Whitehorse, Yukon – Jonas J. Smith, the Conservative Party of Canada’s candidate for Yukon, is calling upon Yukon Liberal Party Member of Parliament Larry Bagnell to clarify where he stands regarding today’s announcement that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has broken the Conflict of Interest Act for the second time and illegally attempted to interfere in a criminal investigation.
Earlier today, Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion released his findings that the Prime Minister violated the Conflict of Interest Act through a series of “flagrant attempts to influence” then-Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada Jody Wilson-Raybould to reach an agreement with SNC-Lavalin to avoid criminal prosecution on fraud and bribery charges.
In April, when Wilson-Raybould was expelled from the Liberal caucus, along with colleague Dr. Jane Philpott for standing up to the Prime Minister’s pressure, Bagnell told local media he was “saddened” by their departure, however television footage of the announcement showed Bagnell applauding the decision and leading a standing ovation celebrating their removal.
“Mr. Bagnell owes Yukoners answers,” says Smith. “In light of the Ethics Commissioner’s damning report into the SNC-Lavalin scandal, does he believe breaking the Conflict of Interest Act is acceptable?
Does he still support Prime Minister Trudeau and his handling of this affair? Does Mr. Bagnell consider breaking the Conflict of Interest Act twice an acceptable action?”
This is the second time Trudeau has been found guilty of violating the Ethics Act.
In 2017, then-ethics commissioner Mary Dawson found that when Trudeau took a Christmas 2016 trip with family to the Aga Khan’s private island in the Bahamas, he contravened the act in several ways related to accepting gifts from someone registered to lobby his office.
“Repeatedly we’ve seen Mr. Bagnell say one thing to Yukoners and do the opposite in Ottawa,” continues Smith.
“Whether it’s failing to support Ms. Wilson-Raybould’s attempts to speak truth to power and uphold the integrity of our justice system or failing to support law-abiding Yukon gun owners, it’s time to elect a representative who will stand up for Yukoners in Ottawa.”
-30-
To view the full Ethics Commission report, please click here: