RCMP refutes media reports that it is investigating Trudeau over SNC-Lavalin
Posted June 19, 2023 6:08 pm.
Last Updated June 19, 2023 6:18 pm.
The RCMP is refuting multiple reports that it’s investigating Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over allegations of political interference in the SNC-Lavalin trial.
In a statement released on Monday night, the RCMP wrote:
“The RCMP is not investigating allegations of political interference in the exercise of prosecutorial discretion to secure a remediation agreement for SNC-Lavalin.”
In response to numerous media reports, the RCMP can confirm it is not investigating allegations of political interference in the trial of SNC Lavalin.
— RCMP (@rcmpgrcpolice) June 19, 2023
“The RCMP’s Sensitive and International Investigations unit conducted as assessment pertaining to these allegations. As part of that review the RCMP spoke with and collected information from a variety of sources, and examined the matter in the most thorough, objective and professional manner.
“After a comprehensive and impartial assessment of all available information, the RCMP determined that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate a criminal offence and the file was concluded.”
RCMP says in a statement it is not investigating the Prime Minister for prosecutorial obstruction over the SNC Lavalin affair
It did conduct an assessment but found there was insufficient evidence of a criminal offence
At the time RCMP said it was examining the matter closely pic.twitter.com/u5mJEMgCgd
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) June 19, 2023
The RCMP was compelled to clear the air after reports surfaced earlier Monday that Trudeau was being investigated, citing the RCMP’s response to an Access To Information request from May 23 that said the matter was “currently under investigation.”
On Monday evening, the RCMP said that statement from the May request contained outdated information.
“That statement, in a May 2023 Access to Information Release was sent using information available at the time,” the RCMP said, stressing that upon further investigation no evidence of criminal conduct was uncovered.
RELATED: Timeline: SNC-Lavalin and Jody Wilson-Raybould
In August 2019 Canada’s ethics watchdog concluded that Trudeau violated the Conflict of Interest Act by improperly pressuring former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould to halt the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin.
“What happened over the past year shouldn’t have happened,” Trudeau said at the time. “We need to make sure that my government or any government going forward isn’t in that position again.”
With files from The Canadian Press and Cormac MacSweeney
