Straight Talk

Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs declares solidarity with Jody Wilson-Raybould

by Charlie Smith on February 28th, 2019 at 5:39 PM
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      One of B.C.'s most influential First Nations organizations has lavishly praised the former justice minister and attorney general.

      In a statement, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs described how Jody Wilson-Raybould testified to the Commons justice committee in "scrupulous and succint detail" while displaying her "characteristic unwavering committment to justice and truth".

      “Jody Wilson-Raybould’s announcement that a campaign of 'veiled threats' and 'sustained pressure' was carried out by senior members of the prime minister's office in order to force her hand in the SNC-Lavalin case is disturbing and indicative of a government that is severely compromised,” the organization's president, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, said. “The Trudeau government is upheld not by the pillars of justice and truth, but greed and partisanship—a government that time and time again favours corporations over the welfare and rights of Indigenous peoples.

      "UBCIC unequivocally stands behind Jody Wilson-Raybould and denounces the inappropriate efforts of the Trudeau government to undermine her prosecutorial discretion and secure a strategic deferred prosecution agreement with SNC-Lavalin.”

      The vice president, Chief Bob Chamberlin, accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of "willful ignorance", which "belies how he is personally and directly linked to the charges of excessive political interference".

      "I cannot understate how proud I am of her integrity, determination, and dedication to justice," Chamberlin said. "We respect her power and integrity."

      The secretary treasurer, Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, mentioned that Trudeau's office still hasn't freed Wilson-Raybould to speak out what happened after the justice portfolio was taken away from her.

      "We call upon Justin Trudeau and the PMO to issue a new order-in-council that would lift any and all constraints that would stifle Wilson-Raybould’s complete and truthful testimony of the SNC-Lavalin case.”

      Video: Watch APTN's Dennis Ward interview Grand Chief Stewart Phillip about Jody Wilson-Raybould's testimony before the justice committee.

      The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs wasn't alone among Indigenous people in expressing appreciation to Wilson-Raybould. You can see some other comments below:

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