Justin Trudeau’s political future under threat in Canada
The prime minister offers no apology but accedes that ‘lessons have been learned’
Ottawa — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denied interfering in Canada’s judicial system, on Thursday, as he sought to defuse a crisis threatening his political future, and offered no apology, asserting only that lessons had been learnt. Trudeau called a news conference to address allegations that improper pressure was put on former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to help construction firm SNC-Lavalin Group avoid a criminal trial. “There was no breakdown of our systems, of our rule of law, of the integrity of our institutions,” Trudeau, the Liberal Party leader, told reporters. “There was never any inappropriate pressure.” Trudeau came to power in November 2015 promising “sunny ways”, more accountability and a greater number of women in the cabinet. Yet two, high-powered female ministers have quit over the case and he now finds himself accused of trying to arrange a backroom deal with a major company. Trudeau and other officials deny doing anything improper by asking Wil...
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