QP: On Butts and Wilson-Raybould

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The first day back after a week of bombshells and self-inflicted wounds, the House of Commons was buzzing for the show that was about to begin. Andrew Scheer led off, mini-lectern on desk, and he led off in French about Gerald Butts’ resignation, saying it was about the “bribery and corruption scandal,” and wondered why the resignation was accepted if nothing happened. Trudeau gave praise for Butts, and that his respect for the office was why he resigned. Scheer asked again in English, and Trudeau repeated his same point extemporaneously. Scheer tried again, and this Trudeau praised the institutions of Parliament including the independence of committee members, which resulted in a number of jeers. Scheer insisted that he allow Wilson-Raybould to speak (never mind that she’s the one who won’t speak, not that Trudeau hasn’t said that she can’t), and Trudeau noted the values of judicial independence and respect for the rule of law, and said that he was getting advice on waiving solicitor-client privilege so as to ensure there were no unintended consequences. Scheer changed tacks slightly and wondered how many times Butts met with Wilson-Raybould over SNC-Lavalin, and Trudeau noted that all ministers met on Tuesdays and that his staff was engaged with them. Guy Caron was up next, demanding that solicitor-client privilege be waived, and Trudeau reminded him they were getting advice on that. Caron demanded an independent inquiry — the subject of their Supply Day motion, to which Trudeau said they had confidence in the Ethics Commissioner and that he wouldn’t prejudge the work of the committee, which was the master of its own destiny.  Charlie Angus was up next to repeat the question in English with added sanctimony, and Trudeau repeated both points. Angus demanded that he let Wilson-Raybould speak, and Trudeau reiterated that they welcomed any inquiry from the Ethics Commissioner. 

Round two, and Lisa Raitt repeated the demands that solicitor-client privilege be waived (Lametti: I am studying that issue, and will provide my legal opinion in due course) and if Lametti had taken any decision on a deferred prosecution for SNC-Lavalin (Lametti: No decision made), Alain Rayes and Candice Bergen wondered about Butts’ resignation (Chagger: We made his resignation letter public), and waiving privilege (Lametti: I am studying the issue). Nathan Cullen demanded cooperation to get answers (Chagger: Committee members have been having this conversation, and we increased resources to committees and we respect the work of officers of Parliament; Lametti: We’re confident in the processes by committee and the Commissioner). Pierre Paul-Hus and Michael Cooper wanted Butts to appear before committee (Chagger: Their work is independent; Lametti: There is are two independent processes, and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on either). Ruth Ellen Brosseau wondered about giving rich people a free ride, in reference to SNC-Lavalin (Chagger: We are helping Canadians with programmes like the Canada Child Benefit), and Murray Rankin demanded that the committee hear from more witnesses (Lametti: The committee is independent).

Round three saw questions on whether the RCMP has contacted the PMO in relation to the SNC-Lavalin issue (Chagger: We will let any processes go ahead; Butts made his reasons public; You have two different messages in each official language when it comes to SNC-Lavalin; Lametti: I am studying the issue of waiving privilege), demanding the government not buy GM vehicles not bought in Canada (Bains: Our policies have seen significant investment in the automotive sector), a First Nation’s arena that burned down (O’Regan: My officials will be in touch), and demands by the Bloc to give SNC-Lavalin a deferred prosecution (Chagger: Our government has done its work properly and is following all of the rules), and the Arctic policy framework (Jones: People have to be the architects of their own vision, and we are working in partnership to develop a policy).

Overall, it was a lot more lacklustre than one might have imagined, and it certainly wasn’t the big showdown that some might have expected. On the one hand, Trudeau once again went entirely unscripted for his responses, he kept to the same kinds of bland answers that he has to date on this whole affair – nothing new was learned. For other responses, Lametti stuck to his lines about still studying the issue of solicitor-client privilege and would render his decision “in due course,” and Bardish Chagger was also delivering interference scripts, but the questions weren’t all that probing either. The questions as to whether the RCMP made any inquiries were met with bafflegab, and demands that the committee allow Wilson-Raybould to appear were met with a reminder that committees are masters of their own destiny (ostensibly true, particularly for the purposes of Question Period). As well, Conservatives trying to insist that Wilson-Raybould speak in QP were obviously never going to happen, since she is neither a minister nor a committee chair, for what it’s worth. Also, because the whole press gallery was salivating over it, the fact that Wilson-Raybould was still in her old seat on the front bench is not actually a clue about anything. She was consigned to the outer edge after the shuffle, next to former minister Kent Hehr – she wasn’t mixed in among other ministers. As well, other former ministers still get to see on the front bench – Hehr, MaryAnn Mihychuk, Scott Brison (for the week-and-a-half between his resignation from Cabinet and his resigning his seat), and even former ministers from previous ministries like Wayne Easter and Hedy Fry. Wilson-Raybould’s seat was not a sign of anything.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Seamus O’Regan for a tailored navy suit and tie with a white shirt and pocket square, and to Lisa Raitt for a navy suit and skirt with a white top. Style citations go out to Anita Vandenbeld for a boxy jacket with thin multicoloured stripes over a black top, and to Gabriel Ste-Marie for a dark grey suit and tie this a pink and grey plaid shirt. Dishonourable mention goes out to Dan Ruimy for a dark grey suit with a black shirt and yellow tie.