Once Again, Liberals Block the Truth for Canadians

OTTAWA – Today, Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have done it again: they refused to let Canadians know the truth. They blocked the Ethics Committee from inviting Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott to testify and call on the Prime Minister to waive the Cabinet confidence that prevents them from speaking publicly.

NDP Justice Critic, Tracey Ramsey, and NDP Ethics Deputy Critic, Daniel Blaikie, were at the Committee to push for an investigation into the PMO’s interference scandal. While Trudeau’s Liberals want to turn the page on this matter without getting to the truth, Canadians want answers. For the NDP, it is clear: the page cannot be turned until Canadians find out the truth.

“Throughout this whole scandal, the Liberal government has shown a lack of respect for Canadians who want the truth and deserve the truth,” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. “Canadians are not ready to let this scandal go. It is clear, Liberals that hold a majority at these committees are unwilling to get the answers Canadians want. We’re using the tools we have to get at the truth for Canadians, but what we really need is an independent public inquiry.”

The PMO’s interference scandal has even attracted international attention. The OECD, in its notice to Canada, said while it was encouraged by the ongoing Justice Committee study, alarms were ringing about the potential PMO interference into our justice system. And then the Liberals shut down the committee study. They’re mortgaging Canada’s international reputation for short-term partisan reasons. Yesterday, the NDP wrote to the OECD directly to raise concerns around the lack of a process to investigate the PMO’s interference scandal.

“Canadians are having a crisis of confidence in Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government,” said Ramsey. “If nothing inappropriate happened, then the Prime Minister has to give permission to the former Attorney General and former President of the Treasury Board to tell their full story to Canadians.”

“It is shameful for the Liberals to shut down debate yet again,” said Blaikie. “They clearly have something to hide. We need an independent, impartial and public inquiry into the PMO’s interference scandal, now.”