dChan - Q Origins Project Archive

Trudeau mulls change of tone in SNC-Lavalin scandal

By Mercedes Stephenson

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to change his tone on the SNC-Lavalin controversy after an afternoon huddled with his closest advisers, as the Liberal government struggles to confront the political crisis engulfing it just months ahead of the election and moves into damage-control mode.

The prime minister cancelled a planned trip to Regina, instead returning to Ottawa for an emergency strategy session with his senior staff and advisers in order to come up with a way forward on the SNC-Lavalin affair.

READ MORE: Ministers rally around Trudeau amid SNC-Lavalin affair — Here’s what they’re saying

A senior government source said a key part of those discussions was about the possible need for a change in tone. A new strategy is expected to come out of the meetings, one in which the prime minister is expected to strike a more apologetic tone and demonstrate contrition, likely in the form of a statement to Canadians.

The statement would not acknowledge any wrongdoing, the source says, but is expected to address the allegations of inappropriate pressure in a more apologetic way and express contrition over how his senior staff and officials allegedly conducted themselves.

Former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould has alleged that the prime minister, his senior staff and government officials put inappropriate pressure on her to intervene in the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin, citing jobs and a looming election.

A senior source said Trudeau will not make any statement in advance of the testimony of his former principal secretary and close personal adviser Gerald Butts.

WATCH: PM’s former top adviser to testify publicly on Wednesday

https://globalnews.ca/news/5024639/trudeau-change-of-tone-snc-lavalin-scandal/?utm_source=notification/