SNC-Lavalin and Justin Trudeau are doing well

Quebec has now allowed SNC-Lavalin to escape prosecution. If such a statement had come before the vote for Justin Trudeau, it would have reminded him of a similar crisis he faced in 2019.

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The Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) yesterday announced the arrest of two former vice presidents of the SNC-Lavalin, Normand Morin and Kamal Francis. They are suspected of paying a $ 2.23 million bribe to repair the Jacques-Cartier Bridge between 1997 and 2004.

According to the DPCP, SNC-Lavalin and SNC-Lavalin International are “criminally liable for the actions of their former directors”. But unlike Messrs. Morin and Francis, they run the risk of not being prosecuted.

Instead, the Crown wants to negotiate with the SNC-Lavalin about the secret compensation agreement approved by the Supreme Court. For example, it could be a fine payment.

If this story seems to be known, a similar episode took place in 2018 and 2019 in the Federation rather than the Provincial Justice.

In February 2019, former Ottawa Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Rebold said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his entourage were under “constant” pressure to get a SNC-Lavalin deal. Corruption associated with agreements in Libya.

The Prime Minister wanted to avoid job losses if SNC-Lavalin was found guilty of a crime and thereby excluded from public contracts.

The DPCP heard exactly the same argument yesterday to justify its desire to conclude a repair contract with the company.

Such an agreement “allows the company to carry on business and bid on public tenders. […]It also minimizes the negative consequences for employees, retirees, clients and shareholders of companies, ”Crown specifically said.

No chance …

In 2018, Minister Wilson-Rebold refused to succumb to pressure because federal prosecutors wanted the SNC-Lavalin trial to stand. She was transferred to another ministry before resigning from the cabinet.

The crisis has led to the Federal Liberals openly washing dirty laundry. When she lost a majority in the House of Commons, she followed them until the October 2019 general election. They were re-elected for another minority term on Monday evening.

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