Andrew Scheer met with SNC-Lavalin chief over criminal charges
(The Star Food)

MONTREAL-Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer met with the head of SNC-Lavalin in May 2018 to discuss criminal charges facing the Quebec construction giant.Scheer´s office confirmed the Conservative leader discussed the `deferred prosecution agreement` sought by SNC-Lavalin to avoid criminal fraud and corruption charges. The meeting with SNC-Lavalin CEO Neil Bruce took place last May 29, months after the Liberal government introduced so-called `DPAs` in its omnibus budget bill.`Mr. Scheer met with a representative from SNC-Lavalin and was briefed on the company´s position with regards to deferred prosecution agreements,` wrote Brock Harrison, Scheer´s director of communications, in a statement.`The meeting was one of several SNC-Lavalin sought out and held with MPs from all parties during the budget debate.`But when asked if Scheer had a position on whether SNC-Lavalin should get such a deal, Harrison would only say that Scheer `is opposed to politicians interfering to get charges dropped for accused corporate criminals.`Harrison was referring to allegations first reported by the Globe and Mail that officials with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau´s office attempted to pressure former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to push for a deal for SNC-Lavalin.Read more:NDP leader challenges Trudeau to let former attorney general speak on SNC-LavalinTop prosecutor defends independence and decision to prosecute SNC-LavalinLiberals to block opposition attempt to probe SNC-Lavalin affairThe independent Public Prosecution Service has refused SNC-Lavalin´s appeal for a DPA. But the justice minister can overrule that decision, which neither Wilson-Raybould nor her successor, David Lametti, has done.Trudeau has called elements within the Globe´s report false, although has not specified which elements. Wilson-Raybould has remained silent on the report.Opposition parties have demanded formal investigations into the allegations, including hearings by the House of Commons Justice Com ...