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August 21st, 2019

NDP Statement on Liberals Blocking Ethics Commissioner to Appear Before the Committee

NDP Ethics Critic, Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay), and NDP Justice Critic, Tracey Ramsey (Essex) issued the following statement:

“The Liberals’ unprecedented decision to shut down the Ethics Committee instead of hearing from Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion, who has just found the Prime Minister guilty of breaking Canada’s conflict of interest law, should shock Canadians. It shows more clearly than ever who this government is working for – big corporate interests like SNC-Lavalin.
While Grassy Narrows First Nation continues to wait for a mercury treatment centre after fifty years of poisoning and Sears workers are in court fighting for their pensions, this Liberal government is breaking all the rules to give corporate Canada white-glove treatment.
The Commissioner’s report showed a clear pattern of collusion between SNC-Lavalin, the Prime Minister’s Office and other ministers’ offices with in their attempt to pressure former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould to overturn a decision of the independent Director of Public Prosecutions. Canadians were owed answers. Liberals refused to give Commissioner Dion a chance to explain his report’s findings and take questions.
By denying Canadians the opportunity to hear from the Commissioner directly, the Liberals aren’t leaving any doubt about who it is they’re working for. They’ve completely turned their backs on the working Canadians who hoped they would be different.
Canada deserves better than this. New Democrats have always put people first, and always will.”