Because we couldn’t possibly have a weekend without trying to force developments in the Double-Hyphen Affair, Andrew Scheer called a press conference on Sunday to demand that Justin Trudeau let Jody Wilson-Raybould “speak the full truth” before the justice committee, which is set to meet again on Wednesday to consider next steps in what witnesses they want to hear from. The Conservatives in particular are keen to hear if Wilson-Raybould thinks that Trudeau lied. Scheer also launched a petition site so that Canadians can let Trudeau know that he should “let her speak.” Of course, it’s also about data-mining in advance of the next election, but that’s par for the course for them.

I see the Conservatives’ contribution is to launch a data-mining petition site. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/xRy4FCU18k

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) March 10, 2019

Of course, the consensus among lawyers and political operatives is that Wilson-Raybould has been free to speak all along, and the fact that Michael Wernick and Gerald Butts have spoken about the times in question – and have stated explicitly that there was no legal advice proffered on this issue so it can’t be a question of solicitor-client privilege. Add to that, she has always had the ability to use her parliamentary privilege to say whatever she wants in the House of Commons. So this concern that she can’t speak is a bit overblown – or perhaps should be considered as concern trolling. Regardless, the longer this issue goes on, the more it’s clear that it becomes an issue of who can be considered the more credible witness, because there is no right or wrong answer here. Partisans will each take their own lessons, and eventually we’ll move on, but maybe not until the Liberals stop stepping all over their own message, whenever that will be.

Good reads:

• Justin Trudeau threw a bit of shade at Andrew Scheer for not calling out the Pizzagate nonsense in that town hall question, or the extremist “yellow vesters.”
• Métis leaders want an official apology for Métis Second World War veterans who were not given promised benefits, while there are still some survivors remaining.
• The federal victims of crime ombudsman wants the government to address gaps around the military justice system when it comes to victims of crime.
• Here’s a look at how the CRA grants permission to use its trademarks on things like “TIPS” and “TED” (and yes, TED Talks are similarly licenced).
• The Liberal caucus chair says that the overwhelming sentiment among the MPs is that they want Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott to stay in caucus.
• Here is a look at Wilson-Raybould through the lens of family and her community.
• Here’s a profile of Charlie Angus, who’s apparently not afraid to burn bridges in light of the current Affair.
• Here’s a longread about the changes to the oil sector over the past four years under Rachel Notley (and lo, much of it is about lower world oil price).

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