Liberals accuse Conservatives of `fishing expedition` and `witch hunt` in push for parliamentary inquiry into SNC-Lavalin controversy
(The Star Fashion & Style)

OTTAWA— A Liberal MP is accusing Conservative party members on the Commons justice committee of trying to conduct a “fishing expedition” and a “witch hunt” into the SNC-Lavalin affair as the prime minister insisted publicly his government had broken no rules in its dealings with the former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould.Trudeau, speaking in Sudbury, was asked about discussions he and his officials had with Wilson-Raybould about SNC-Lavalin. Trudeau said that his government “always” looks at ways to create jobs and economic growth “and this is a constant conversation in cabinet.”“And all those conversations, all those commitments to economic growth have always been carried out based on well-established rules,” said the prime minister.He again blamed Wilson-Raybould for failing to come forward with any concerns about improper influence before her sudden resignation Tuesday. He pointed to her acceptance of another cabinet position just last month as evidence she had not advised him of any wrongdoing.As the Commons’ justice committee met Wednesday afternoon, Conservative and NDP MPs wanted to vote to hold hearings into allegations of improper political interference by PMO officials in the decisions of the former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould. The Opposition parties believe Wilson-Raybould was told to cut a deal with SNC-Lavalin instead of pursuing criminal charges that could prove financially crippling for the Quebec company.But Liberal Randy Boissonault, MP for Edmonton Centre, brought forward a surprise motion to channel discussions away from Wilson-Raybould’s as-yet untold version of events and allow hearings into the legal rules and standards that apply to how an attorney general interacts with political colleagues. And he scolded the Conservatives and New Democrats.The justice committee, said Boissonault, should avoid the “fishing expedition and kind of witch hunt ...