David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Methinks a proper election slogan for Trudeau The Younger would be "I Am So Sorry" N'esy Pas?
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/03/liberals-have-taken-polling-hit-over.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/grenier-snc-lavalin-trudeau-polls-1.5048419
Liberals have taken a polling hit over SNC Lavalin - but Trudeau's taken a bigger one
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david kirby
These polls show that one of the things Canadians cannot stand, whatever their political persuasion, is
hypocrisy.
hypocrisy.
Len Evans
@david kirby
You mean like the hypocrisy of Jody Wilson-Raybould? Who has said this is all about ethics, yet a couple of weeks ago her own father reportedly spoke of her "taking down government, and running for P.M."? That is what I have been suspecting all along, and her friend also seems to be along for that ride. This has all of the hallmarks of an internal coup for self promotion & self interests rather than any shred of ethical behavior in my opinion.
You mean like the hypocrisy of Jody Wilson-Raybould? Who has said this is all about ethics, yet a couple of weeks ago her own father reportedly spoke of her "taking down government, and running for P.M."? That is what I have been suspecting all along, and her friend also seems to be along for that ride. This has all of the hallmarks of an internal coup for self promotion & self interests rather than any shred of ethical behavior in my opinion.
David Amos
@Len Evans Surprise Surprise Surprise
Ewan Cameron
@david mccaig
Just your biased, partisan opinion David, spouted robotically day after day. If you’d take the time to post something meaningful, you just might get taken seriously, but the reformacon, neocon slurs are simply juvenile schoolyard name calling.
Have a nice day!!
Just your biased, partisan opinion David, spouted robotically day after day. If you’d take the time to post something meaningful, you just might get taken seriously, but the reformacon, neocon slurs are simply juvenile schoolyard name calling.
Have a nice day!!
David Amos
@Ewan Cameron Methinks that
whereas so many of us are constantly blocked or covered up up by his
many posts this must all part of the circus hosted by CBC for the
benefit of we all know who N'esy Pas?
Henry Wysmulek
60.5% of Canadians saw trudeau for what he really is from day one!
Only the liberal faithful were fooled!
Only the liberal faithful were fooled!
Len Evans
@Henry Wysmulek
So who has been fooled over the past couple of weeks? People who thought this was a great scandal brought to light by the poor Justice Minister? I don't believe it for a second. It was reported that Jody Wilson-Raybould's father spoke a couple of weeks ago of her "taking down government, and running for P.M. herself". Yet everyone bought into her being upset over ethics. The lawyer, and hardened career politician being upset because other politicians were lobbying her to consider the interests of other people? Doesn't fit. This was always about self interests in my opinion.
So who has been fooled over the past couple of weeks? People who thought this was a great scandal brought to light by the poor Justice Minister? I don't believe it for a second. It was reported that Jody Wilson-Raybould's father spoke a couple of weeks ago of her "taking down government, and running for P.M. herself". Yet everyone bought into her being upset over ethics. The lawyer, and hardened career politician being upset because other politicians were lobbying her to consider the interests of other people? Doesn't fit. This was always about self interests in my opinion.
David Amos
@mo bennett YO MO Methinks you are still enjoying the circus as much as I N'esy Pas?
Chris Brewer
@Henry Wysmulek .....Or 68.1%
of Canadians saw Harper for what he really is from day one and only the
conservative faithful were fooled.
David Amos
@mo bennett YO MO Has the cat got your tongue?
Nick Cash
Trudeau is quick to apologize for Canadians, but will not apologize when he is the one that failed the people of Canada.
Nick Cash
@Ross Piercey in 12 months
Content disabled. After 13 likes
David Amos
David Amos
@Nick Cash Methinks everybody
has noticed Trudeau's narcissistic character flaws by now but its
amazing how many folks did not notice how dumb he was out of the gate
N'esy Pas?
NOT Content disabled. After 14 dislikes
Richard Sharp
@Nick Cash
No PM in history has been as willing to admit to HIS government’s mistakes, fess up, apologize and fix the problems like Trudeau. Harper never said he was sorry in TEN years, and his government set the all time record of mistakes, including outrageous criminality, lies, wasteful spending, etc.
No PM in history has been as willing to admit to HIS government’s mistakes, fess up, apologize and fix the problems like Trudeau. Harper never said he was sorry in TEN years, and his government set the all time record of mistakes, including outrageous criminality, lies, wasteful spending, etc.
Josh Welch
@Nick Cash I agree. I think
Trudeau's apologies are all about trying to gain support and finding a
way to blame others. Rarely is Trudeau ever sincere.
Brad Brien
I did not vote Liberal in the
2015 election, but I still had a bit of faith that Trudeau would govern
sensibly. Sadly, I have been let down.
Liberal cronyism and favouritism, outright corruption (SNC-Lavalin) and Central-Canadian elitism have shown that Prime Minister Trudeau missed the mark of 'leader' by a long shot !
Liberal cronyism and favouritism, outright corruption (SNC-Lavalin) and Central-Canadian elitism have shown that Prime Minister Trudeau missed the mark of 'leader' by a long shot !
David Amos
@Edward Vella I wholeheartedly agree and very much enjoy watching the circus tent unfold before this October
vic thomas
@Brad Brien We shall see but
Canadians showed pretty poor taste in 2015 electing image and style over
competence and experience. I suspect most Canadians once again will do
the same and unfortunately the opposition leaders are even weaker than
in 2015. Canadians lost an opportunity to elect someone with experience
and integirty with Mulcair..instead they didnt like his image and chose
the sunny ways fluff and here we are. WE get the government we deserve.
Henry Wysmulek
Funny how the cbc never prints anything about the real feminist trudeau?
------------------------
Liberal MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes says she was met with hostility and anger from Justin Trudeau when she told him she was leaving politics, prompting her to speak out about the Prime Minister’s behaviour.
“He was yelling. He was yelling that I didn’t appreciate him, that he’d given me so much,” Ms. Caesar-Chavannes said.
------------------------
Liberal MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes says she was met with hostility and anger from Justin Trudeau when she told him she was leaving politics, prompting her to speak out about the Prime Minister’s behaviour.
“He was yelling. He was yelling that I didn’t appreciate him, that he’d given me so much,” Ms. Caesar-Chavannes said.
Ron Vader
@William Perry
I guess the right also have a problem with comprehending what they read amongst many other issues they have.....lol.
I guess the right also have a problem with comprehending what they read amongst many other issues they have.....lol.
David Amos
@Henry Wysmulek Welcome to the Circus
David Amos
@Ewan Cameron "Yes Ron, a direct quote from the lady".
Methinks that its rather interesting that the Tipster and lady MPs who run afoul with Trudeau since Feb 7th prefer to speak to the Globe and Mail and not the CBC N'esy Pas?
Methinks that its rather interesting that the Tipster and lady MPs who run afoul with Trudeau since Feb 7th prefer to speak to the Globe and Mail and not the CBC N'esy Pas?
Josh Welch
@Henry Wysmulek It is
interesting that Trudeau's reaction is to explain and try and
reinterpret her experience. After his betrayal of the former Attorney
General and the awful way he handled it you'd think he would be more
careful here. Trudeau needs to think more before he talks.
Jimmy johnson
Buying Quebec votes while he snubs the rest of Canada. Plain and simple....just another AdScam with a different name.
Roger Armbruster
@Ben Brown Surely you jest...
David Amos
@Roger Armbruster Nope
Methinks he is serious and that fact makes him even more comical N'esy Pas?
Methinks he is serious and that fact makes him even more comical N'esy Pas?
Robert Paul
@Jimmy johnson
Albertans don't count because they aren't leftist enough for Trudeau.
Albertans don't count because they aren't leftist enough for Trudeau.
Stanley Baird
@Jimmy johnson but, he will probably loss votes in Quebec, corruptions hurts the average person.
David Amos
@Stanley Baird YUP
gary Shortell
Canada does not need four more years of liberal socialism.
Keith Burton
@gary Shortell
Their platform and talking points are socialism but what do they deliver?
Their platform and talking points are socialism but what do they deliver?
David Amos
@Keith Burton Good question
Robert Paul
@gary Shortell Agreed. (I'm amazed I'm not banned again yet! I got banned for merely agreeing with comments like this before!)
Emile Nelligan
@gary Shortell at least if it was socialism. it's more like "trudeauism" we don't need.
David Amos
@Robert Paul Thats nothing CBC won't even admit my name is on the ballot when I run for public office
Steve Maclean
Trudeau new election slogan. “I will apologize for Canadians but I will not apologize to Canadians”
Ben Brown
@Paul Aumuller
Not an opinion
The Cons slept with, for much less grease.
Not an opinion
The Cons slept with, for much less grease.
Ben Brown
@Donald Patrick
He doesn't know what his platform is, because his owners haven't told him yet.
He doesn't know what his platform is, because his owners haven't told him yet.
David Amos
@Steve Maclean Methinks thou doth jest too much N'esy Pas?
Robert Paul
@Steve Maclean
Perfectly well put!
But we will not apologize for him.
Perfectly well put!
But we will not apologize for him.
David Amos
@Steve Maclean Methinks a proper election slogan for Trudeau The Younger would be "I Am So Sorry" N'esy Pas?
bud webster
where is all this new money for buildings,,, roads,,,.bridges,,,,, Rail'''' oh yea its for special groups
Neil Gregory
@bud webster
The special group that benefits the most from Liberal and Conservative policies are the filthy-rich, corporate executives.
The special group that benefits the most from Liberal and Conservative policies are the filthy-rich, corporate executives.
Jim McHugh
@Neil Gregory Oh there are a few more that we're not allowed to mention because it would be seen as discrinination.
David Amos
@Jim McHugh YUP
Lucas Machias
@bud webster the four
Atlantic Provinces voted Liberal in 20115 and JT didn't spend any money
down here like he did in Quebec. Bombardier got $400 Million just given
to them.
bud webster
@Lucas Machias
I Know I live there
I Know I live there
David Amos
@bud webster Me Too and have had my name on 6 ballots thus far
Google Fundy Royal Dabate
Google Fundy Royal Dabate
Buford Wilson
We may see Justin step aside. To give the Liberals a chance.
He's now an albatross around the neck of the party.
He's now an albatross around the neck of the party.
Mike Mikaelson
@Buford Wilson never interrupt the 'fool' (paraphrasing) when he's in the process of destroying himself
Andrew Szollos
@Mike Mikaelson
At the moment, there is no greater fool that JT.
A very day he steps on stage, pours gasoline on himself and strikes a match.
At the moment, there is no greater fool that JT.
A very day he steps on stage, pours gasoline on himself and strikes a match.
David Amos
@Buford Wilson YUP
Liberals have taken a polling hit over SNC Lavalin - but Trudeau's taken a bigger one
The prime minister's personal polling numbers aren't recovering, but the Liberal Party's numbers might be
In the wake of the SNC-Lavalin affair,
the Liberals have taken a hit in the polls. Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau has taken a bigger one.
Multiple polls have recorded a drop in Liberal support ever since the Globe and Mail first published allegations of political interference by the Prime Minister's Office in the SNC-Lavalin affair — allegations that prompted the resignation from cabinet of former attorney-general Jody Wilson-Raybould and the subsequent resignation of Jane Philpott as president of Treasury Board.
The CBC Poll Tracker,
an aggregation of all publicly available polls, has recorded a slip of
over four points for the Liberals over the last month, putting the party
behind the Conservatives for the first time in nearly a year.
But the losses suffered by the party are less significant than those suffered by Trudeau himself on questions relating to his own personal brand, the performance of his government and Canadians' preferences for prime minister.
Among the five pollsters who have asked the question both before and since the SNC-Lavalin affair emerged (Innovative Research Group, Ipsos, Forum Research, Nanos Research and Abacus Data), the average drop in Trudeau's polling on the question of who Canadians prefer as prime minister has been six points, compared to an average drop of just two points for these pollsters in voting intentions for the Liberals.
Since November and December, Léger, Ipsos and Abacus have recorded drops of between seven and nine points in approval or satisfaction with the performance of Trudeau's government.
Forum, which has been an outlier in showing the Liberals trailing the Conservatives by a significant margin since the beginning of 2018, found a drop of eight points in Trudeau's personal approval rating, while the party — already low in Forum's estimation — only slipped a single point.
In a survey conducted between Mar. 1-4, Innovative found that just 33 per cent of Canadians have a very or somewhat favourable impression of the prime minister, down 12 points since September.
Abacus, in a survey conducted between Mar. 5-7, found the same share of Canadians with a positive impression of Trudeau — down 11 points since December.
Both Innovative and Abacus have found only modest decreases in support for the Liberals over that time span.
That suggests either the Liberal brand retains some resilience — or voters aren't impressed enough with their options to switch their allegiance to other parties when asked to make a choice.
The numbers don't suggest that Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer or NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have been able to take advantage of Trudeau's struggles.
While Innovative found Trudeau's favourable vs. unfavourable score dropped by a net 20 points, the polling firm also found Scheer's decreased by three points, while Singh's didn't change at all.
Léger recorded Trudeau's score on preferred prime minister falling seven points, while Scheer's dropped by one and Singh's increased by just one.
Abacus has shown Scheer's numbers getting worse since a peak just after Wilson-Raybould testified before a Commons committee on Feb. 27 and Scheer demanded that the prime minister resign. In its Feb. 28 to Mar. 2 poll, 32 per cent of respondents had a positive impression of Scheer. In its Mar. 5-7 survey, that had dropped to 28 per cent.
Not even Singh's Burnaby South byelection victory on Feb. 25 — which finally gave him a seat in the House of Commons — moved the dial for the NDP leader. In Abacus's Feb. 8 to 11 survey, 20 per cent of Canadians had a positive impression of Singh. His latest numbers are virtually unchanged, at 19 per cent.
All of which suggests that the losses the Liberals suffer and the gains the Conservatives or New Democrats make in voting intentions might fade in the longer term if they're not secured by an improvement in the personal ratings of Scheer or Singh.
There are even signs now that the effects of the SNC-Lavalin affair might be starting to wear off for the Liberals, if not for the prime minister.
As of Friday afternoon, Abacus Data has been the only polling firm to release the results of surveys conducted after Philpott's resignation on Monday and the testimony of Gerald Butts, the prime minister's former principal secretary, on Wednesday.
The latest results — gathered from Tuesday to Thursday online and surveying 300 panel respondents per day for a total of 900 responses — found the Conservatives with only a one-point lead over the Liberals (34 to 33 per cent), down from the Conservatives' seven-point advantage in the days following Wilson-Raybould's explosive committee testimony (37 to 30 per cent). The shifts might not be very significant considering the sample sizes, but the trend has been consistent.
Abacus also asked respondents to choose their preferred prime minister. On that question, Trudeau's edge over Scheer has grown to five points after having fallen behind the Conservative leader by one point between Feb. 28 to Mar. 1. Of course, that's still a far smaller margin than the 16-point edge Trudeau enjoyed over Scheer in December.
Conservative
Leader Andrew Scheer responds to media questions Wednesday, March 6,
2019 while visiting a supporter in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)
But
Trudeau and the Liberals have enjoyed no similar rebound in polling
which doesn't feature a multiple choice option rather than a simple
for-or-against question on the PM and his government. The number of
Canadians with a positive impression of the prime minister has not
shifted at all, according to Abacus, while approval of his government is
up a mere two points.
It
all suggests that Trudeau might not be the asset for the Liberal Party
that he once was. At the height of his popularity after the 2015 federal
election, Trudeau was significantly more popular than his party.
That margin diminished after the botched diplomatic mission to India took its toll — but Trudeau still tended to poll ahead of his party.
Before the SNC-Lavalin affair, Trudeau might have been able to drag the Liberal Party along with him to another majority government in the fall. Now, the best chance for the Liberals might not be the person leading them, but the people leading their opponents.
Multiple polls have recorded a drop in Liberal support ever since the Globe and Mail first published allegations of political interference by the Prime Minister's Office in the SNC-Lavalin affair — allegations that prompted the resignation from cabinet of former attorney-general Jody Wilson-Raybould and the subsequent resignation of Jane Philpott as president of Treasury Board.
But the losses suffered by the party are less significant than those suffered by Trudeau himself on questions relating to his own personal brand, the performance of his government and Canadians' preferences for prime minister.
Among the five pollsters who have asked the question both before and since the SNC-Lavalin affair emerged (Innovative Research Group, Ipsos, Forum Research, Nanos Research and Abacus Data), the average drop in Trudeau's polling on the question of who Canadians prefer as prime minister has been six points, compared to an average drop of just two points for these pollsters in voting intentions for the Liberals.
Since November and December, Léger, Ipsos and Abacus have recorded drops of between seven and nine points in approval or satisfaction with the performance of Trudeau's government.
Forum, which has been an outlier in showing the Liberals trailing the Conservatives by a significant margin since the beginning of 2018, found a drop of eight points in Trudeau's personal approval rating, while the party — already low in Forum's estimation — only slipped a single point.
In a survey conducted between Mar. 1-4, Innovative found that just 33 per cent of Canadians have a very or somewhat favourable impression of the prime minister, down 12 points since September.
Abacus, in a survey conducted between Mar. 5-7, found the same share of Canadians with a positive impression of Trudeau — down 11 points since December.
Both Innovative and Abacus have found only modest decreases in support for the Liberals over that time span.
That suggests either the Liberal brand retains some resilience — or voters aren't impressed enough with their options to switch their allegiance to other parties when asked to make a choice.
Trudeau vs. the alternatives
The numbers don't suggest that Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer or NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have been able to take advantage of Trudeau's struggles.
While Innovative found Trudeau's favourable vs. unfavourable score dropped by a net 20 points, the polling firm also found Scheer's decreased by three points, while Singh's didn't change at all.
Léger recorded Trudeau's score on preferred prime minister falling seven points, while Scheer's dropped by one and Singh's increased by just one.
Abacus has shown Scheer's numbers getting worse since a peak just after Wilson-Raybould testified before a Commons committee on Feb. 27 and Scheer demanded that the prime minister resign. In its Feb. 28 to Mar. 2 poll, 32 per cent of respondents had a positive impression of Scheer. In its Mar. 5-7 survey, that had dropped to 28 per cent.
Not even Singh's Burnaby South byelection victory on Feb. 25 — which finally gave him a seat in the House of Commons — moved the dial for the NDP leader. In Abacus's Feb. 8 to 11 survey, 20 per cent of Canadians had a positive impression of Singh. His latest numbers are virtually unchanged, at 19 per cent.
All of which suggests that the losses the Liberals suffer and the gains the Conservatives or New Democrats make in voting intentions might fade in the longer term if they're not secured by an improvement in the personal ratings of Scheer or Singh.
Liberals recovering, but not Trudeau?
There are even signs now that the effects of the SNC-Lavalin affair might be starting to wear off for the Liberals, if not for the prime minister.
As of Friday afternoon, Abacus Data has been the only polling firm to release the results of surveys conducted after Philpott's resignation on Monday and the testimony of Gerald Butts, the prime minister's former principal secretary, on Wednesday.
The latest results — gathered from Tuesday to Thursday online and surveying 300 panel respondents per day for a total of 900 responses — found the Conservatives with only a one-point lead over the Liberals (34 to 33 per cent), down from the Conservatives' seven-point advantage in the days following Wilson-Raybould's explosive committee testimony (37 to 30 per cent). The shifts might not be very significant considering the sample sizes, but the trend has been consistent.
Abacus also asked respondents to choose their preferred prime minister. On that question, Trudeau's edge over Scheer has grown to five points after having fallen behind the Conservative leader by one point between Feb. 28 to Mar. 1. Of course, that's still a far smaller margin than the 16-point edge Trudeau enjoyed over Scheer in December.
That margin diminished after the botched diplomatic mission to India took its toll — but Trudeau still tended to poll ahead of his party.
Before the SNC-Lavalin affair, Trudeau might have been able to drag the Liberal Party along with him to another majority government in the fall. Now, the best chance for the Liberals might not be the person leading them, but the people leading their opponents.
About the Author
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/trudeau-snc-lavalin-new-brunswick-1.5046055
N.B. cabinet ministers stand by Trudeau, backbenchers not completely sold
Trudeau accused of political interference, pressuring former attorney general
While both federal cabinet
ministers from New Brunswick say they have "full confidence" in Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau, two Liberal MPs in the province are expressing
some reservations in the wake of the SNC-Lavalin controversy.
New Brunswick Southwest MP Karen Ludwig said Wednesday she wants to see the ethics commissioner's report before making up her mind about how Trudeau handled things — especially because she's not in cabinet and wasn't privy to those discussions.
Ludwig said she stands by the work of the Liberal government but is still absorbing information about how it dealt with SNC-Lavalin.
"I think it's really important to listen to the witnesses that are still coming before the justice committee but also the work of the ethics commissioner," she said in an interview with CBC's Harry Forestell.
New Brunswick Southwest MP Karen Ludwig says she'll continue to focus
on local, riding-based issues while the ethics commissioner investigates
the SNC-Lavalin affair. (CBC)
"I
think that's a significant position that hardly anyone is actually
talking about. The ethics commissioner is a non-partisan role ... Let's
hear what the ethics commissioner has to say."
Saint-John Rothesay MP Wayne Long has twice called for an independent investigation, most recently after former Jane Philpott's resignation as chair of the Treasury Board.
Philpott's resignation came after former justice minister and attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould accused the Prime Minister's Office of political interference related to a criminal corruption investigation against Quebec-based engineering giant SNC-Lavalin. Wilson-Raybould also resigned from cabinet.
Wilson-Raybould has testified to the House of Commons justice committee that 11 people working for the prime minister met with her over the course of several months, "hounding" her in an effort to get a deferred prosecution agreement for the company. She said on multiple occasions, Quebec jobs and the election were brought up.
Saint-John Rothesay MP Wayne Long has twice called for an independent investigation into the SNC-Lavalin affair. (CBC)
Philpott resigned
Monday, saying she had lost confidence in the Trudeau government. She
and Wilson-Raybould are still in the Liberal caucus.
Prior to Wilson-Raybould's testimony, Trudeau's former top adviser Gerald Butts resigned.
He testified before the justice committee Wednesday, challenging Wilson-Raybould's version of events. The committee also heard from clerk of the privy council Michael Wernick, who denied making "veiled threats," as well as deputy justice minister Nathalie Drouin.
Nicole O'Byrne, associate professor of law at the University of New Brunswick, said an ethics commissioner's report will likely not touch the most contentious parts of the SNC-Lavalin affair — specifically the possible allegations of obstruction of justice.
"To be blunt, we're well past the scope of what the ethics commissioner can inquire into," O'Byrne said.
O'Byrne said Butts's testimony wasn't provided under oath, so the committee can't uncover the truth to the extent a public inquiry can.
"[A public inquiry] can have quite a large scope and you can have the kind of evidence you need to get at the truth here," she said.
Long broke ranks earlier and voted with the opposition for a motion to launched a public inquiry into the allegations. The motion was defeated.
Federal Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc says he has full confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (Matt Smith/Canadian Press)
Before Wilson-Raybould's testimony, Long told reporters he'd met with the party whip.
"The government's never happy when MPs stand different from the flow of government, but I'm always going to stand up and do what I think is right," he said.
He said he's a "party guy."
"But I'm also going to be an MP that stands up when I think I need to."
Both New Brunswick ministers are standing by Trudeau. Dominic LeBlanc, the minister of intergovernmental and northern affairs, said he has "full confidence in the prime minister."
Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor tweeted "I have full confidence in Justin Trudeau and our government."
Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor says she stands by the Prime Minister. (CBC News)
LeBlanc, the MP for Beausejour, and Petitpas Taylor, the MP for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, joined the 31 other cabinet ministers in assuring the public that they stand behind Trudeau.
J.P. Lewis, associate professor of political science at the University of New Brunswick Saint John, said it could be difficult to say how findings from an ethics commissioner's report would affect the politics
He said cabinet members are the government, so it's important for them to align on supporting Trudeau.
Backbenchers have more freedom, he said, but also possibly less influence.
"If
backbenchers en masse are getting upset with a leader with a position
that the government is taking or the party is taking it's easy for there
to be pressure," he said, pointing to when Tom Mulcair was pushed out
of the NDP.
"We don't have any evidence that it's anywhere close to this going on with this current government," he said. "Theoretically, I mean that can happen from within but it doesn't appear that we're close to that."
New Brunswick Southwest MP Karen Ludwig said Wednesday she wants to see the ethics commissioner's report before making up her mind about how Trudeau handled things — especially because she's not in cabinet and wasn't privy to those discussions.
Ludwig said she stands by the work of the Liberal government but is still absorbing information about how it dealt with SNC-Lavalin.
"I think it's really important to listen to the witnesses that are still coming before the justice committee but also the work of the ethics commissioner," she said in an interview with CBC's Harry Forestell.
Saint-John Rothesay MP Wayne Long has twice called for an independent investigation, most recently after former Jane Philpott's resignation as chair of the Treasury Board.
2 resignations
Philpott's resignation came after former justice minister and attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould accused the Prime Minister's Office of political interference related to a criminal corruption investigation against Quebec-based engineering giant SNC-Lavalin. Wilson-Raybould also resigned from cabinet.
Wilson-Raybould has testified to the House of Commons justice committee that 11 people working for the prime minister met with her over the course of several months, "hounding" her in an effort to get a deferred prosecution agreement for the company. She said on multiple occasions, Quebec jobs and the election were brought up.
Prior to Wilson-Raybould's testimony, Trudeau's former top adviser Gerald Butts resigned.
He testified before the justice committee Wednesday, challenging Wilson-Raybould's version of events. The committee also heard from clerk of the privy council Michael Wernick, who denied making "veiled threats," as well as deputy justice minister Nathalie Drouin.
An ethics investigation
Nicole O'Byrne, associate professor of law at the University of New Brunswick, said an ethics commissioner's report will likely not touch the most contentious parts of the SNC-Lavalin affair — specifically the possible allegations of obstruction of justice.
"To be blunt, we're well past the scope of what the ethics commissioner can inquire into," O'Byrne said.
A public inquiry
O'Byrne said Butts's testimony wasn't provided under oath, so the committee can't uncover the truth to the extent a public inquiry can.
"[A public inquiry] can have quite a large scope and you can have the kind of evidence you need to get at the truth here," she said.
Long broke ranks earlier and voted with the opposition for a motion to launched a public inquiry into the allegations. The motion was defeated.
"The government's never happy when MPs stand different from the flow of government, but I'm always going to stand up and do what I think is right," he said.
He said he's a "party guy."
"But I'm also going to be an MP that stands up when I think I need to."
Cabinet confidence
Both New Brunswick ministers are standing by Trudeau. Dominic LeBlanc, the minister of intergovernmental and northern affairs, said he has "full confidence in the prime minister."
Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor tweeted "I have full confidence in Justin Trudeau and our government."
Backbencher influence
J.P. Lewis, associate professor of political science at the University of New Brunswick Saint John, said it could be difficult to say how findings from an ethics commissioner's report would affect the politics
He said cabinet members are the government, so it's important for them to align on supporting Trudeau.
Backbenchers have more freedom, he said, but also possibly less influence.
"We don't have any evidence that it's anywhere close to this going on with this current government," he said. "Theoretically, I mean that can happen from within but it doesn't appear that we're close to that."
With files from News at 6
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practiceshttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-liberals-justin-trudeau-snc-lavalin-1.5044890
3 Nova Scotia Liberals MPs defend Trudeau amid SNC-Lavalin affair
'I don't think it's damaging because we're really focused on what we were sent to Ottawa to do'
As
the controversy surrounding the SNC-Lavalin affair continues, three
Nova Scotia Liberal MP's have come out in support of Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau.
Bernadette Jordan, Mark Eyking and Rodger Cuzner say they have full confidence in the prime minister and his ability to govern. Nova Scotia has 10 sitting Liberal MPs.
Trudeau has been under fire for weeks over allegations he and other members of his office put pressure on former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould to override a decision to prosecute SNC-Lavalin on bribery charges related to contracts in Libya.
Wilson-Raybould was shuffled to Veterans Affairs in January and resigned from cabinet last month. Last week, she testified before a Commons justice committee about "inappropriate" pressure she said was levied against her last fall regarding SNC-Lavalin.
On Monday, Treasury Board President Jane Philpott resigned from cabinet, saying she had lost confidence in how the government had handled the matter.
Jody Wilson-Raybould appears at the House of Commons justice committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Feb. 27. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
Mark
Eyking, who represents the Cape Breton riding of Sydney-Victoria, said
there was some friction in cabinet, but Trudeau didn't do anything
wrong.
"Whether you're in caucus or you're in cabinet there's interference, there's interference because you're fighting for your region and your country. And for jobs and for the economy, these things happen in the room, it's just all out in the open now," he said.
Jordan said she doesn't think the current controversy is hurting the Liberals.
"I don't think it's damaging because we're really focused on what we were sent to Ottawa to do," said Jordan, the minister of rural economic development and representative of South Shore-St. Margarets.
Part of what the government was elected to do was help protect people's livelihoods, she said, including the 9,000 jobs at SNC-Lavalin that could be at risk.
Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau greets Rural Economic Development Minister
Bernadette Jordan at a swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on
Jan. 14. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
"I
think it's really important that as a government we do look at
supporting jobs, it's key to our economic prosperity, we have to make
sure we continue to do that," she said.
The Liberal caucus also stands "wholeheartedly in support of the prime minister," said Rodger Cuzner, the MP for Cape Breton-Canso.
"I believe in what he's doing and I believe we've accomplished some great things and we've been a progressive government," he said.
Cape Breton-Canso MP Rodger Cuzner said he fully supports the prime minister. (CBC)
The next part of the investigation into the SNC-Lavalin scandal continues today, as Trudeau's former principal secretary Gerald Butts speaks with the Commons justice committee.
Bernadette Jordan, Mark Eyking and Rodger Cuzner say they have full confidence in the prime minister and his ability to govern. Nova Scotia has 10 sitting Liberal MPs.
Trudeau has been under fire for weeks over allegations he and other members of his office put pressure on former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould to override a decision to prosecute SNC-Lavalin on bribery charges related to contracts in Libya.
Wilson-Raybould was shuffled to Veterans Affairs in January and resigned from cabinet last month. Last week, she testified before a Commons justice committee about "inappropriate" pressure she said was levied against her last fall regarding SNC-Lavalin.
On Monday, Treasury Board President Jane Philpott resigned from cabinet, saying she had lost confidence in how the government had handled the matter.
"Whether you're in caucus or you're in cabinet there's interference, there's interference because you're fighting for your region and your country. And for jobs and for the economy, these things happen in the room, it's just all out in the open now," he said.
Jordan said she doesn't think the current controversy is hurting the Liberals.
"I don't think it's damaging because we're really focused on what we were sent to Ottawa to do," said Jordan, the minister of rural economic development and representative of South Shore-St. Margarets.
Part of what the government was elected to do was help protect people's livelihoods, she said, including the 9,000 jobs at SNC-Lavalin that could be at risk.
The Liberal caucus also stands "wholeheartedly in support of the prime minister," said Rodger Cuzner, the MP for Cape Breton-Canso.
"I believe in what he's doing and I believe we've accomplished some great things and we've been a progressive government," he said.
With files from Nova Scotia News at 6 and Mainstreet Cape Breton
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practiceshttps://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/federal-cabinet-behind-trudeau-1.5042887
Trudeau has support of remaining 33 members of cabinet, survey shows
'My confidence in the prime minister remains untouched,' says Patricia Hajdu
In the wake of Jane Philpott's sudden
resignation from the federal cabinet over what she said was her "lack of
confidence" in the way the Liberal government has handled the SNC
Lavalin affair, CBC News reached out to the remaining 33 members of
cabinet to ask if they still support Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
As of Monday evening, all remaining members of the federal cabinet were saying they continue to support Trudeau and the government. Some issued statements, others simply confirmed their support.
Below is a list of statements from cabinet ministers who provided them to CBC News:
Minister of Indigenous Services Seamus O'Regan
"I have full confidence in this prime minister and am committed to continuing on with the important work ahead for Indigenous peoples and all Canadians."
Minister of Transport Marc Garneau
"Absolutely. I'm proud to work with a leader that is focused on jobs, growing the middle class and strengthening our economy."
Minister of the Environment Catherine McKenna
"Yes, Minister McKenna has full confidence in the PM and will remain in cabinet," said spokeswoman Caroline Thériault.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Patricia Hajdu
"My confidence in the prime minister remains untouched. I stand by him and believe in his ability to lead a government that delivers for all Canadians. I am sorry to see one of my Cabinet colleagues step down and I wish her the best."
Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion Mary Ng
The minister told CBC that she supports Trudeau "100 per cent."
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett
"I have absolute confidence in our government, and our prime minister, and will continue the vital work of advancing reconciliation and self-determination as the minister of Crown-Indigenous relations."
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism Pablo Rodriguez
The Quebec MP said he backs Trudeau "totally,"
Minister of National Revenue Diane Lebouthillier
"I support the prime minister and am proud of the work we have accomplished during the last three years to make life better for all Canadians."
Minister of Democratic Institutions Karina Gould
"I have full confidence in the Prime Minister and this government."
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Ahmed Hussen
"Minister Hussen has full confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his vision for Canada," said spokesperson, Mathieu Genest.
Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade Dominic LeBlanc
"I have full confidence in the prime minister. We will continue to take action to make life easier for Canadians, and create good, middle class jobs across the country."
Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr
"The PM and this government as a whole has minister Carr's full confidence. He remains committed to his role as minister and to the important work the PM has given him to carry out on behalf of Canadians," said spokeswoman, Isabella Brisson.
Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie Mélanie Joly
''Of course, the Prime Minister has my full confidence.''
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities François-Philippe Champagne
"I absolutely have confidence in the prime minister and the plan he put in place for Canadians and I will continue to be a strong voice for rural Canada, for a strong and growing economy and for Quebec."
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Jonathan Wilkinson
"I am proud of the progressive accomplishments made under the leadership of the prime minister. I have full confidence in the prime minister and our government."
Minister of Natural Resources Amarjeet Sohi
"I have full confidence in our government. Canadians elected us to build a strong middle class and provide opportunities for those who work hard every day to join the middle class. That is what we have focused on since day one and this is what we will continue to do under the strong leadership of PM Trudeau."
Minister of Science and Sport Kirsty Duncan
"I fully support the prime minister and our government, and as minister of science and sport, will continue focusing on our important work for science and research, and on making sport safe for all."
Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility Carla Qualtrough
"I have full confidence in the prime minister and our government, and I look forward to continuing to serve Canadians.
"I'm sad to hear of Jane Philpott's departure from Cabinet. She was a valued member of the team around the table. I thank the Prime Minister for his faith in me as I take on the interim position of president of the Treasury Board and minister of digital government."
All remaining members of the federal cabinet have told CBC News that they continue to support Trudeau and his government.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and PracticesAs of Monday evening, all remaining members of the federal cabinet were saying they continue to support Trudeau and the government. Some issued statements, others simply confirmed their support.
Below is a list of statements from cabinet ministers who provided them to CBC News:
Minister of Indigenous Services Seamus O'Regan
"I have full confidence in this prime minister and am committed to continuing on with the important work ahead for Indigenous peoples and all Canadians."
Minister of Transport Marc Garneau
"Absolutely. I'm proud to work with a leader that is focused on jobs, growing the middle class and strengthening our economy."
"Yes, Minister McKenna has full confidence in the PM and will remain in cabinet," said spokeswoman Caroline Thériault.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Patricia Hajdu
"My confidence in the prime minister remains untouched. I stand by him and believe in his ability to lead a government that delivers for all Canadians. I am sorry to see one of my Cabinet colleagues step down and I wish her the best."
Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion Mary Ng
The minister told CBC that she supports Trudeau "100 per cent."
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett
"I have absolute confidence in our government, and our prime minister, and will continue the vital work of advancing reconciliation and self-determination as the minister of Crown-Indigenous relations."
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism Pablo Rodriguez
The Quebec MP said he backs Trudeau "totally,"
Minister of National Revenue Diane Lebouthillier
"I support the prime minister and am proud of the work we have accomplished during the last three years to make life better for all Canadians."
Minister of Democratic Institutions Karina Gould
"I have full confidence in the Prime Minister and this government."
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Ahmed Hussen
"Minister Hussen has full confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his vision for Canada," said spokesperson, Mathieu Genest.
Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade Dominic LeBlanc
"I have full confidence in the prime minister. We will continue to take action to make life easier for Canadians, and create good, middle class jobs across the country."
Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr
"The PM and this government as a whole has minister Carr's full confidence. He remains committed to his role as minister and to the important work the PM has given him to carry out on behalf of Canadians," said spokeswoman, Isabella Brisson.
Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie Mélanie Joly
''Of course, the Prime Minister has my full confidence.''
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities François-Philippe Champagne
"I absolutely have confidence in the prime minister and the plan he put in place for Canadians and I will continue to be a strong voice for rural Canada, for a strong and growing economy and for Quebec."
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Jonathan Wilkinson
"I am proud of the progressive accomplishments made under the leadership of the prime minister. I have full confidence in the prime minister and our government."
Minister of Natural Resources Amarjeet Sohi
"I have full confidence in our government. Canadians elected us to build a strong middle class and provide opportunities for those who work hard every day to join the middle class. That is what we have focused on since day one and this is what we will continue to do under the strong leadership of PM Trudeau."
Minister of Science and Sport Kirsty Duncan
"I fully support the prime minister and our government, and as minister of science and sport, will continue focusing on our important work for science and research, and on making sport safe for all."
Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility Carla Qualtrough
"I have full confidence in the prime minister and our government, and I look forward to continuing to serve Canadians.
"I'm sad to hear of Jane Philpott's departure from Cabinet. She was a valued member of the team around the table. I thank the Prime Minister for his faith in me as I take on the interim position of president of the Treasury Board and minister of digital government."
All remaining members of the federal cabinet have told CBC News that they continue to support Trudeau and his government.
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