Chantal Hébert: For Trudeau, the SNC-Lavalin scandal solution could rest with Jody Wilson-Raybould
(The Star Health)

MONTREAL—Ever since allegations of high-level political interference in the federal prosecution of engineering firm SNC-Lavalin surfaced, it has been assumed that from the government’s perspective former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould’s silence was a better alternative than having her speak out about her exchanges with the prime minister and his staff.Given her refusal to sanction — if only by staying in cabinet — Trudeau’s version that nothing improper had taken place, it has been widely expected that if and when she spoke her testimony would only sink the government deeper into a hole.But is that assumption still valid in the wake of the resignation on Monday of principal secretary Gerald Butts?His departure could pave the way for Wilson-Raybould to become part of the solution to the government’s problem rather than the source of an ever-expanding river of troubles.It is at least plausible that Wilson-Raybould could exonerate Trudeau even as she excoriates Butts.Based on his resignation statement, Trudeau’s former right-hand adviser has all but set himself up for a hit. Even as he maintained he had crossed no red line in his dealings with the former attorney general, Butts went out of his way to out himself as the specific target of the political interference allegations. Read more: Liberals defeat NDP motion calling for judicial inquiry into SNC-Lavalin affairWhy now? Gerald Butts’ departure fuels speculationHere’s why Jody Wilson-Raybould still isn’t talking about SNC-LavalinFor his part, the prime minister has admitted he discussed the SNC-Lavalin file with Wilson-Raybould but he insists they concur on the fact that he told her the decision as to the way forward was hers alone to make.That SNC-Lavalin found support at the highest levels of the government for its contention that it should be spared the risk of a criminal conviction that would see it barred from bidding on federal contra ...