Jody Wilson-Raybould wants to `speak my truth´ as Liberals quash call for SNC-Lavalin inquiry
(The Star Food)

OTTAWA – Jody Wilson-Raybould declared publicly she wants the “opportunity to speak my truth� but says she remains bound to secrecy about allegations of political interference by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office in the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin.But the former attorney general seems to have reached one conclusion: that the prime minister can lift the veil on what discussions she had with him or his aides.After Trudeau’s Liberal government used its parliamentary majority Wednesday to defeat the idea of a swift judicial inquiry into allegations the PMO pressured Wilson-Raybould, the woman at the heart of the political firestorm rose to say she abstained from the vote because she did not think it “appropriate for me to vote on a matter that has to do with me personally.�“I understand fully that Canadians want to know the truth and want transparency,� she said. “Privilege and confidentiality are not mine to waive and I hope I have the opportunity to speak my truth.�Wilson-Raybould again abstained on the main vote when Liberals defeated the NDP’s motion 160-134, and again addressed the Commons, explaining she didn’t cast a vote because the matter “deals with me personally.�Opposition MPs erupted in cheers and demands that the prime minister’s vote not count because of his own perceived conflict of interest. The PMO stands accused of pressuring Wilson-Raybould to cut a deal to allow SNC-Lavalin to escape conviction on criminal charges, which would prevent it from bidding on federal contracts.Trudeau voted against an inquiry, but Liberal MPs Nathaniel Erskine-Smith (Beaches-East York) and Wayne Long (Saint John-Rothesay) voted with the NDP and Conservatives.The defeat puts a bigger spotlight on the workings of the Commons justice committee, which begins to hear witnesses Thursday, starting with Justice Minister David Lametti.The Opposition has already called it an exer ...