OTTAWA — Jody Wilson-Raybould would still be justice minister if it wasn’t for the resignation of former Treasury Board president Scott Brison, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday, downplaying suggestions she was moved for not giving into political arm-twisting. Trudeau said Brison’s decision to leave politics resulted in having to “move things around” on the team, including shuffling Wilson-Raybould into the veterans affairs portfolio. “One of the seniors members of our team stepped down and we had to move things around on the team,” Trudeau said. During a conversation in the fall, Trudeau said Wilson-Raybould asked if he would be directing her to take a particular decision, stressing that he replied, “No.” Trudeau said Friday he told Wilson-Raybould any decision on SNC-Lavalin was hers alone. “I am in the process of obtaining advice on the topics that I am legally permitted to discuss in this matter.”

Source: National Post February 15, 2019 09:01 UTC