CanadaRead Jody Wilson-Raybould’s resignation letter

Trudeau says Wilson-Raybould shuffled out as attorney general due to Brison’s departure

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said if former Liberal cabinet minister Scott Brison had not suddenly resigned, then Jody Wilson-Raybould would still be Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. Speaking at a press conference in Ottawa Friday, Trudeau said Brison's departure from his position as Nova Scotia MP and Treasury Board President resulted in him have to "move things around" on the team. This included shuffling Wilson-Raybould into the veterans affairs portfolio, he added.

© Used with permission of / © Rogers Media Inc. 2019. Trudeau and Wilson-Raybould attend a swearing in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

Jody Wilson-Raybould resigned from the Liberal cabinet on Tuesday morning. The move follows a report in the Globe and Mail last week that alleged she had been pressured as justice minister not to prosecute SNC-Lavalin for fraud, but to instead approve the use of a remediation agreement to avoid a trial. In her letter, Wilson-Raybould says she has hired a lawyer, Thomas Albert Cromwell, for “advice on the topics that I am legally permitted to discuss”. Here is her full letter of resignation to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:

Bill Kelly: What Jody Wilson-Raybould didn’t say speaks volumes

Jody Wilson-Raybould is not going quietly. Bill Kelly says that's another headache the PM doesn't need. More importantly, now that Wilson-Raybould has been emancipated from the shackles of Cabinet confidentiality, it appears she may be preparing to tell her side of the SNC-Lavalin affair. She's hired prominent lawyer Thomas Cromwell to represent her on this file and offer guidance on what she can and can't say about the issue.

Office of the Prime Minister

80 Wellington St.

Ottawa, Ontario  K1P 5K9

Attention: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau

Feb. 12, 2019

Dear Prime Minister:

With a heavy heart, I am writing to tender my resignation as the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

I want to thank all Canadians, and in particular the residents of Vancouver-Granville, who put their trust in me and supported me as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and as the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. When I sought federal elected office, it was with the goal of implementing a positive and progressive vision of change on behalf of all Canadians and a different way of doing politics. My resignation as a Minister of the Crown in no way changes my commitment to seeing that fundamental change achieved. This work must and will carry on.

Nine subtle (and not-so) signals in Jody Wilson-Raybould’s resignation letter

Anne Kingston: The letter from the former cabinet minister is a masterclass in how to communicate volumes between the lines . 1. Its undermining timing: The former Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence submitted her resignation to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday night, hours after he spoke publicly for his cabinet minister, who was not present, in Vancouver. “In our system of government, her presence in cabinet should actually speak for itself,” Trudeau boasted then. Now, Wilson-Raybould’s resignation from cabinet is doing the talking. 2.

To Canada’s Veterans and their families: I have the deepest admiration and respect for you. This decision is in no way a reflection of my desire to see your service and sacrifice upheld and honoured. I only wish that I could have served you longer.

To my officials and ministerial staff: thank you for your hard work in the service of all Canadians. I am truly grateful for all that you have done and will continue to do.

I am aware that many Canadians wish for me to speak on matters that have been in the media over the last week. I am in the process of obtaining advice on the topics that I am legally permitted to discuss in this matter and as such, have retained the Honourable Thomas Albert Cromwell, CC as counsel.

Again, my thanks to all Canadians. Regardless of background, geography, or party affiliation, we must stand together for the values that Canada is built on, and which are the foundation for our future.

‘A bloody insult’: Jody Wilson-Raybould’s father speaks out on SNC-Lavalin controversy

‘A bloody insult’: Jody Wilson-Raybould’s father speaks out on SNC-Lavalin controversy

I look forward to continuing to serve as the Member of Parliament for Vancouver-Granville.

Respectfully,

(signature)

Puglaas

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, PC, QC, MP

Member of Parliament for Vancouver-Granville

MORE ABOUT JODY WILSON-RAYBOULD:

• Jody Wilson-Raybould resigns from cabinet
• Federal ethics czar launching inquiry into PMO after SNC-Lavalin allegations
• The case for—and problem with—remediation deals like the one SNC-Lavalin wants
• Jody Wilson-Raybould fallout detonates Real Changebrand