Public losing faith in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberals, polls show

   Canada column for Sunday, March 31/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Support in this election year is eroding for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals after allegations of political interference and gaffes.

   Opinion polls show the Conservatives under leader Andrew Scheer now lead the Liberals 37 percent to 28 percent.

   To back up her earlier testimony in Parliament about charges of political interference in a court matter by the government, former Attorney-General Jody Wilson-Raybould on Friday released a recording of a phone call.

   She was speaking with former Privy Council Clerk Michael Wernick who repeatedly urged her to have prosecutors drop bribery charges against engineering company SNC-Lavalin in favor of a “deferred prosecution agreement.”

   Wilson-Raybould, who later quit her job, advised that the government was “treading on dangerous ground” and she “can’t act in a partisan way and it can’t be politically motivated.”

   Another gaffe happened as Trudeau apologized later for a sarcastic thank you to an Indigenous protester at a fund-raising dinner.

Political rancor highlights rifts in Canada's Parliament

   Canada column for Sunday, March 24/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   It’s been a week for political rancor that even got petty when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had to apologize for eating a chocolate bar.

   Angry Conservatives delayed presentation of the federal budget and then for an hour drowned out Finance Minister Bill Morneau.

   He couldn’t be heard over loud heckles, stomping and chants until the Conservatives stormed out to protest the government’s handling of the SNC-Lavalin issue.

   The Conservatives then staged a 31-hour filibuster, accusing Trudeau of political interference for trying to help the Montreal-based engineering company avoid a criminal trial for bribery.

   During the first hour of the voting marathon, Trudeau was noticed eating – which is against the rules in the Commons.

   “Indeed Mr. Speaker, I apologize. It was a chocolate bar,” Trudeau said amid chuckles.

   There was more lack of decorum when Ontario Premier Doug Ford called Essex politician Taras Natyshak “a coward” for questioning him about political appointments.

   Ford then challenged him to “step outside” to settle their differences.

Canadian airlines scramble after Boeing 737 Max aircraft pulled from the skies

   Canada column for Sunday, March 17/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The somewhat reluctant grounding by Canada of Boeing 737 Max aircraft has thrown March school break travel into chaos for many Canadians.

   Transport Minister Marc Garneau said it was decided to close Canadian skies to the aircraft a day after many others countries took action in the aftermath of the deadly crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

   Eighteen Canadians were among the 157 people killed in the crash in Addis Ababa.

   Garneau said the decision to ground the airplanes was a “precautionary move.”

   It came after information showed “similarities” between the flight profile and that of a Lion Air flight involving the same aircraft that crashed off the Indonesian coast last October killing 189 people.

   “I will not hesitate to take swift action should we discover any additional safety issues,” Garneau said.

   Canada has 41 Max 8s with 24 operated by Air Canada, 13 by Westjet and four by Ontario vacation airline Sunwing.

   The situation has left the airlines struggling to make other flight arrangements for travel home.

Canadian Prime Minister remains embroiled in SNC-Lavalin controversy

   Canada column for Sunday, March 10/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces the biggest crisis of his career, the company at the center of his political turmoil has lost a major court battle.

   Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer continues to demand the Liberal Prime Minister resign for political interference in support of engineering company SNC-Lavalin.

   The Montreal-based company on Friday lost its bid to have the Federal Court allow it to seek an agreement to avoid a criminal trial.

   It is alleged that SNC-Lavalin paid bribes to obtain government business in Libya.

   The firestorm followed testimony by Jody Wilson-Raybould, who was removed by Trudeau as Justice Minister, that she cautioned him not to interfere.

   She referred to “relentless pressure” from the Trudeau’s office and federal officials to help the company reach a remediation agreement.

   Trudeau and his former principal secretary, Gerald Butts, who also quit his job along with Wilson-Raybould, said nothing inappropriate happened.

Justin Trudeau says he won't resign as Canadian Prime Minister over allegations of interference

   Canada column for Sunday, March 3/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is refusing calls that he resign over allegations of political interference to support engineering company SNC-Lavalin.

   Leading the demand for the resignation of the Liberal Prime Minister is Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer who has also asked the Mounties to investigate the possibility of obstruction of justice.

   This followed testimony before a Commons committee by Jody Wilson-Raybould, who was removed by Trudeau as Justice Minister, after she cautioned him not to interfere in the case.

   Gerald Butts, Trudeau’s political advisor who also resigned, said he also wants to testify.

   Trudeau’s office was looking into the case of the Montreal-based company facing fraud and corruption charges over business dealings in Libya.

   There were suggestions the company might reach a “remediation agreement” to allow it to pay restitution to avoid a trial.

   Trudeau said he disagrees with how Wilson-Raybould characterized discussions she had with him and others and that federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion will decide who is telling the truth.