Enough with the SNC affair
Enough already with the SNC-Lavalin affair. Whether the company is criminally prosecuted or gets a deferred prosecution agreement, it will be prosecuted. The executives who committed the bribery and fraud should really be the ones prosecuted, and not have the employees, shareholders and other stakeholders suffer for their actions.
The opposition, pundits and the media keep harping on this affair. We the public are tired of hearing about it. And why don’t the opposition parties tell us how they would have done this differently, instead of crucifying Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. They are such hypocrites because they would have done the same.
I am disappointed and disillusioned with Trudeau about other issues promised and not yet delivered. But neither opposition party has anything better to offer. Neither Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer nor NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh are prime ministerial material.
As for Jody Wilson-Raybould, as Thomas Walkom wrote, she is still in control and has pledged to work with Canadians to make politics less selfserving. Isn’t that hypocritical on her part, since she has made this whole affair self-serving for herself? Alberto Sarthou, Toronto We have seven months to go until the election, and already I have had enough. When you look around the world, politics has gone awry. It’s no longer about what is best for the country, or its people. It is about playing games, each political party trying to score points and outsmart the other. Look at Brexit. It’s a mess.
And sadly, Canada is no better. I am sick of hearing about the SNC-Lavalin situation. What bothers me most is that the opposition parties are being such hypocrites, as likely they would have done something similar to save Canadian jobs.
As for the behaviour in the House of Commons over the budget on Tuesday, I have just two words: “Grow up.”
Whatever happened to trying to work together for the better of all? Why can’t you focus on the issues at hand — like homelessness, unemployment and the dreadful plight of our Indigenous people who are living in such appalling conditions? Anne Day, Oakville Thank you, Thomas Walkom, for speaking the truth. It has been blatantly obviousto see that Jody Wilson-Raybould not only was out to create chaos and topple the Liberal government, but, more importantly, is aiming for the top spot: prime minister. How could anyone have confidence or believe anything she would do in future without wondering what her hidden agenda is to satisfy herself.
If the Liberal government wins reelection in October, under no circumstances should the PM give her or Jane Phillpott a ministerial portfolio. There are a lot of Liberals who would be thrilled to have one and would do a good job, without having a personal agenda. P. Kelly, Toronto
Re Canadians want ‘whole story’ on SNCLavalin, says Jane Philpott, March 21
MP Jane Philpott claims that she and MP Jodi Wilson-Raybould represent the best version of the Liberal Party because they have noble and superior ethics.
I disagree. I find them both to be very selfish and willing to risk all those children and working poor who have been lifted out of poverty because of Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party.
Everyone knows the feeling when no matter what they do, it is never enough. I want them to stop bullying our prime minister to further their own selfish end game. Marjorie Cormier, Toronto
Re Morneau’s Budget: Liberals can be bolder, Editorial, March 20
You make a good case that the Liberals should be bolder. Whether they can be, however, is an entirely different matter.
Evidently, apart from the two ministers who resigned, the Liberal party lacks any internal fortitude to confront its SNC-Lavalin demons head on. With internal wounds to heal, it cannot possibly take on those external, corporate forces arrayed against any government wishing to implement a national drug plan.
Canada’s government is still ruled by a largely hidden system of winks and nods that is managed by large corporations and unions.
So, the party finds itself at a crossroads. It can choose to follow the lead of Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott, into a land in which powerful companies and unions will no longer control the party from behind a shroud, or it can revert to its well-worn habits, in which the insurance industry will force Canada to give pharmacare a very wide berth.
But it is much more than just pharmacare that is at stake if the Liberal party silences its dissident former ministers. When a government is willing to let one of its friendly benefactors escape criminal prosecution, it is only a short rabbit hole away from a world where the government prosecutes its enemies for no good reason. Patrick Cowan, North York Jody Wilson-Raybould sounded very believable in her testimony involving the SNC-Lavalin scandal, implicating Justin Trudeau, Gerald Butts and others. But I’m surprised and a little upset that she is going to stay and run as a Liberal in the election?
Why would she not cross the floor and join the Conservatives and help get rid of Trudeau and his ilk? Marion Hanysh, St. Catharines
Re Unwelcome spotlight shines on Canada, Collenette, March 17
As much as I respect Penny Collenette’s political insights, isn’t it time for political commentators to put the SNCLavalin so-called “scandal” to rest?
Not only does it have little impact on the lives of Canadians, but any alleged criminality took place years ago, and those involved have long left the scene.
Should our media not be focusing on more pertinent concerns, like climate change, malfunctioning jets and hate crimes? Ron Brown, Toronto It is hard to know what to say about Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer without going too far. I fear he wants power too much — never a good sign politically. Canadian politics needs to be civil and respectful, not rancorous. Our goal should be national prosperity with solid leadership for the benefit of all, not grandstanding to score points. Canadians need to take the high road and keep to it. Norm Ferguson, Richmond Hill