Trudeau’s Efforts Re SNC Lavalin was Right …
In the recent English language debate held in Ottawa in the current election campaign that will end on 21st October 2019 when Canadians will go to the polls … the SNC Lavalin debacle again came up. The issue of SNC Lavalin was raised by Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer. The decision to ask the former Attorney-General & Justice Minister Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould, the first ‘First Nation’ person to be so appointed to this position to be reassigned was not surprising. Jody resisted this request and complained that she felt pressured to allegedly break the law. Deferred prosecution was being recommend it appears. We may never know all the details as such discussions are usually private and confidential. We can only comment on what is in the public domain. There was nothing illegal that Jody was being asked to do. The Ethics Commissioner was blindsided. PM Justin Trudeau did nothing wrong. Deferred prosecution is legal
Was this perception factual?
Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) is Legal in Canada since 2018. The law was changed then to allow for this. As AG, Jody should be aware of this. None of us are perfect so she may have been mistaken. If so, such is understandable.
USA
Deferred prosecution agreements are common in south of the border. The USA applies this mechanism on many occasions. We suppose this is applied on a case by case basis. A criminal prosecution can destroy jobs as the company’s image could be seriously wounded.
Commonly Used in The USA.
A DPA is a form of settlement does ensured a firm and their innocent stakeholders are not unduly damaged by a criminal prosecution. Statistics have shown that up to a 65 percent higher settlements have been arrived as a result of a DPA. Huge fines have been paid by a firm so charged for breaking the law. There is usually after an admission of guilt that an infraction has taken place. A criminal prosecution for bribery could damage the image so badly that jobs could be lost as potential clients may refuse to do business with such a company labeled with being a “criminal entity”. Trudeau was being futuristic and most strategic. Congrats sir!
Trudeau has an election to run and there are 78 seats up for the grabs. Jody has left the Liberals and is now an Independent MP.
Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior National & International Correspondent for GTA Weekly.
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