Gallant was quick to react to the findings by Ethics watchdog Mario Dion, who says Trudeau violated conflict-of-interest rules by improperly pressuring his then-attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould to intervene to get criminal proceedings against SNC Lavalin turned into a type of plea agreement instead.
Gallant says Trudeau has broken ethics laws twice now.
The MP says unethical and illegal behavior should never be rewarded and she’s hoping voters will remember that this October.
Meanwhile, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke Liberal candidate Ruben Marini is welcoming both the Ethics Commissioner’s report on the SNC Lavalin matter, and the Prime Minister’s response.
Marini says both are positive developments.
The Liberal nominee says this shows that everybody is accountable, no matter the official’s level of responsibility.
Marini maintains the Ethics Commissioner’s report reflects the strength of our democracy and our democratic institutions.
Marini believes Dion’s report creates a learning opportunity, and emphasizes the need to make the necessary changes to ensure similar conflicts won’t happen again.
For his part, the PM says he takes full responsibility for the S-N-C Lavalin affair, but takes issue with some of the ethics commissioner’s findings.
Trudeau says while lessons have been learned, he will not apologize for his involvement, adding his job as prime minister is to stand up for Canadians and to defend their interests.
