Shock remains after the President of the Treasury Board resigned from the Trudeau Cabinet in the the wake of the SNC-Lavalin affair.
Jane Philpott said she must abide by her core values, ethical responsibilities and constitutional obligations.
It grieves me to resign from a portfolio where I was at work to deliver an important mandate. I must abide by my core values, my ethical responsibilities, constitutional obligations. There can be a cost to acting on one’s principles, but there is a bigger cost to abandoning them. pic.twitter.com/EwO5dtdgG6
— Jane Philpott (@janephilpott) March 4, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is disappointed in Philpott’s decision, but he understands and thanked her for her service, “In a democracy like ours, and in a space where we value our diversity so strongly, we are allowed to have disagreements and debate. We even encourage it. This matter has generated a good discussion about how democratic institutions, specifically the federal ministry and the staff and officials who support it, conduct themselves is critical to all of our principles.”
Meantime, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says Philpott’s resignation clearly demonstrates a government in chaos, led by a disgraced Prime Minister, “I have already called on Trudeau to do the right thing and resign. I believe he has lost the moral authority to govern, and as more and more information comes out, it seems clear that he looked 35 million Canadians in the eye and told them something that simply wasn’t true. It is time for every Liberal cabinet minister, to ask themselves, the same question Jane Philpott did. Is this what you got into politics for? To prop up a Prime Minister who will subvert the law to win elections and benefit his friends? ”
MP Jody Wilson-Raybould tweeted yesterday in support of Philpott, stating ” You are a leader of vision & strength & I look forward to continuing to work alongside you.”
To the incomparable @janephilpott, truly the #MOC…For almost 4 years our country has witnessed your constant & unassailable commitment to always doing what is right & best for Cdns. You are a leader of vision & strength & I look forward to continuing to work alongside you. ❤️U. pic.twitter.com/bwL6ouQjSA
— Jody Wilson-Raybould (@Puglaas) March 4, 2019
The Trudeau Liberals have been under fire since former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybouldt alleged government pressure to intervene in the case.
Philpott remains a member of the Liberal party, and will continue in her role as MP for her southern Ontario riding.
