OTTAWA—Treasury Board president Jane Philpott stunned the Trudeau government by resigning from cabinet Monday, saying it was “untenable” for her to continue following allegations of political interference in the SNC-Lavalin affair.In a damning resignation letter posted to her website Monday afternoon, Philpott said she could no longer remain in cabinet because she had lost confidence in the way the government has dealt with allegations by former attorney general Jody Wilson-Rabyould.“I have been considering the events that have shaken the federal government in recent weeks and after serious reflection, I have concluded that I must resign as a member of cabinet,” Philpott wrote.Canada’s constitutional convention of cabinet solidarity means, among other things, that “ministers are expected to defend all Cabinet decisions,” she wrote. “A minister must always be prepared to defend other ministers publicly, and must speak in support of the government and its policies.“Given this convention and the current circumstances, it is untenable for me to continue to serve as a cabinet minister.“Unfortunately, the evidence of efforts by politicians and/or officials to pressure the former attorney general to intervene in the criminal case involving SNC-Lavalin, and the evidence as to the content of those efforts have raised serious concerns for me.”Trudeau’s office responded publicly with a brief statement, saying he spoke with Philpott earlier Monday when she “informed him of her decision to resign from cabinet.“The prime minister accepted her resignation, and thanked Ms. Philpott for her years of service to Canadians and her dedication.”Trudeau’s office said Public Works and Government Services Minister Carla Qualtrough will immediately take on the job of acting president of the Treasury Board.Wilson-Raybould hailed Philpott on Twitter: “To the incomparable” Jane ...
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