OTTAWA, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Canadian Veterans Affairs Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould on Tuesday quit amid allegations senior officials had pressured her to be lenient with construction company SNC-Lavalin Group Inc when she was justice minister.

Wilson-Raybould made the announcement in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau but did not give reasons for her resignation. Wilson-Raybould said she was consulting a lawyer to see how much she could say about the SNC-Lavalin affair. (Reporting by David Ljunggren) </s> 1. Jody Wilson-Raybould was veterans minister for only 29 days after she was demoted from justice minister in a cabinet shuffle sparked by Scott Brison’s retirement last month.

2. The former minister thanks all Canadians, but she does not specifically thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose office is accused of pressuring her to abandon the prosecution of a case against SNC-Lavalin. By contrast, Brison’s resignation letter glowingly mentions Trudeau seven times.

3. Wilson-Raybould says a lot of thank-yous but at no point does she actually explain why she is resigning.

4. Due to her former role as attorney general, Wilson-Raybould says she can’t comment on the SNC-Lavalin accusations because she is “bound by solicitor-client privilege.” Some experts say Trudeau could waive that privilege if he were so inclined.

5. In her farewell letter after the cabinet shuffle in January, Wilson-Raybould wrote that one of the values she treasures is a justice system “free from even the perception of political interference.”

6. Puglaas is Wilson-Raybould’s Indigenous name. It was given to her as a child by her grandmother and means “a woman born to noble people.” It is notable that she chose to sign with that name, which she didn’t do in her farewell letter as justice minister.

With a heavy heart, I am writing to tender my resignation as the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

I want to thank all Canadians, and in particular the residents of Vancouver-Granville, who put their trust in me and supported me as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and as the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. When I sought federal elected office, it was with the goal of implementing a positive and progressive vision of change on behalf of all Canadians and a different way of doing politics. My resignation as a Minister of the Crown in no way changes my commitment to seeing that fundamental change achieved. This work must and will carry on.

To Canada’s Veterans and their families: I have the deepest admiration and respect for you. This decision is in no way a reflection of my desire to see your service and sacrifice upheld and honoured. I only wish that I could have served you longer.

To my officials and ministerial staff: thank you for your hard work in the service of all Canadians. I am truly grateful for all that you have done and will continue to do.

I am aware that many Canadians wish for me to speak on matters that have been in the media over the last week. I am in the process of obtaining advice on the topics that I am legally permitted to discuss in this matter and as such, have retained the Honourable Thomas Albert Cromwell, CC as counsel.

Again, my thanks to all Canadians. Regardless of background, geography, or party affiliation, we must stand together for the values that Canada is built on, and which are the foundation for our future.

I look forward to continuing to serve as the Member of Parliament for Vancouver-Granville.
• Jody Wilson-Raybould, the former justice minister, resigns from federal cabinet
• John Ivison: Just another day at the office for a government that looks increasingly grubby </s> OTTAWA Veterans Affairs Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould is quitting the federal cabinet days after allegations became public the Prime Minister's Office pressured the former justice minister to help SNC-Lavalin avoid criminal prosecution.

In a letter published on her website Tuesday, Wilson-Raybould says she has hired former Supreme Court judge Thomas Cromwell to tell her what she can say about "matters that have been in the media over the last week."

Wilson-Raybould's letter does not say exactly why she's quitting. It does say she will continue to serve as MP for the riding of Vancouver-Granville.

MORE: Here's your primer on the SNC-Lavalin drama in Canadian politics

The Globe and Mail newspaper reported last week that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or his staff pressured her to arrange a deal with SNC-Lavalin, the Montreal engineering and construction giant, that would have let it avoid a criminal prosecution on allegations of corruption and bribery in relation to its efforts to win government contracts in Libya.

Since then, Trudeau has denied he did any such thing. On Monday, he said in Vancouver that he'd told Wilson-Raybould that any decision on the subject was hers alone.

Trudeau also said he had "full confidence" in Wilson-Raybould and suggested she would have resigned from cabinet on principle if she had felt anyone had tried to improperly pressure her.

"In our system of government, of course, her presence in cabinet should actually speak for itself," he said following a housing announcement — one that Wilson-Raybould didn't attend, unlike a handful of fellow Liberals from the city.

Last month, Trudeau moved Wilson-Raybould out of the justice portfolio in a cabinet shuffle brought on by former minister Scott Brison's departure from politics, elevating David Lametti as her replacement. Wilson-Raybould moved to Veterans Affairs.

In her letter, the MP says that her decision "is in no way a reflection" on veterans, their families or their service. "I only wish that I could have served you longer," she writes. </s> OTTAWA — Veterans Affairs Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould is quitting the federal cabinet days after allegations became public the Prime Minister’s Office pressured the former justice minister to help SNC-Lavalin avoid criminal prosecution.

In a letter published on her website Tuesday, Wilson-Raybould says she has hired former Supreme Court judge Thomas Cromwell to tell her what she can say about “matters that have been in the media over the last week.”

Wilson-Raybould’s letter does not say exactly why she’s quitting. It does say she will continue to serve as MP for the riding of Vancouver-Granville.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office says Wilson-Raybould told the prime minister Monday night of her intention to resign from cabinet. Trudeau informed the rest of his cabinet Tuesday morning about her decision.

One of Trudeau’s spokespeople says Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan will take over the veterans-affairs portfolio temporarily.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said he sent a letter to Trudeau calling on him to see that any documents related to the SNC-Lavalin affair are preserved.

“With Ms. Wilson-Raybould’s resignation from cabinet, and a cabinet shuffle imminent, it’s absolutely imperative that Mr. Trudeau ensure the preservation of these records,” Scheer said in a statement. “Canadians deserve to know the truth around what happened and these records must be preserved.”

Both leaders have public appearances scheduled later Tuesday — Trudeau in Winnipeg and Scheer in Fredericton.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called on the Liberals to support a push at the House of Commons justice committee to look into the allegations that appear to have led to Wilson-Raybould’s resignation.

“If Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government shut the justice committee’s work down, it would send a dangerous signal to Canadians about the state of our democracy,” Singh said in a statement. “Justin Trudeau must be transparent and we will continue to push his government to make sure Canadians receive the answers they deserve.”

The Globe and Mail newspaper reported last week that Trudeau or his staff pressured Wilson-Raybould to arrange a deal with SNC-Lavalin, the Montreal engineering and construction giant, that would have let it avoid a criminal prosecution on allegations of corruption and bribery in relation to its efforts to win government contracts in Libya.

Since then, Trudeau has denied he did any such thing. On Monday, he said in Vancouver that he’d told Wilson-Raybould that any decision on the subject was hers alone.

Trudeau also said he had “full confidence” in Wilson-Raybould and suggested she would have resigned from cabinet on principle if she had felt anyone had tried to improperly pressure her.

“In our system of government, of course, her presence in cabinet should actually speak for itself,” he said following a housing announcement — one that Wilson-Raybould didn’t attend, unlike a handful of fellow Liberals from the city.

Last month, Trudeau moved Wilson-Raybould out of the justice portfolio in a cabinet shuffle brought on by former minister Scott Brison’s departure from politics, elevating David Lametti as her replacement. Wilson-Raybould moved to Veterans Affairs.

In her letter, the MP says that her decision “is in no way a reflection” on veterans, their families or their service. “I only wish that I could have served you longer,” she writes.

“When I sought federal elected office, it was with the goal of implementing a positive and progressive vision of change on behalf of all Canadians and a different way of doing politics,” the letter says. “My resignation as a minister of the Crown in no way changes my commitment to seeing that fundamental change achieved. This work must and will carry on.”

She thanks her staff, officials and Canadians who supported her while in cabinet.

“Regardless of background, geography, or party affiliation, we must stand together for the values that Canada is built on, and which are the foundation for our future,” she writes. </s> Jody Wilson-Raybould resigned from the Liberal cabinet on Tuesday morning. The move follows a report in the Globe and Mail last week that alleged she had been pressured as justice minister not to prosecute SNC-Lavalin for fraud, but to instead approve the use of a remediation agreement to avoid a trial. In her letter, Wilson-Raybould says she has hired a lawyer, Thomas Albert Cromwell, for “advice on the topics that I am legally permitted to discuss”. Here is her full letter of resignation to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:

With a heavy heart, I am writing to tender my resignation as the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

I want to thank all Canadians, and in particular the residents of Vancouver-Granville, who put their trust in me and supported me as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and as the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. When I sought federal elected office, it was with the goal of implementing a positive and progressive vision of change on behalf of all Canadians and a different way of doing politics. My resignation as a Minister of the Crown in no way changes my commitment to seeing that fundamental change achieved. This work must and will carry on.

To Canada’s Veterans and their families: I have the deepest admiration and respect for you. This decision is in no way a reflection of my desire to see your service and sacrifice upheld and honoured. I only wish that I could have served you longer.

To my officials and ministerial staff: thank you for your hard work in the service of all Canadians. I am truly grateful for all that you have done and will continue to do.

I am aware that many Canadians wish for me to speak on matters that have been in the media over the last week. I am in the process of obtaining advice on the topics that I am legally permitted to discuss in this matter and as such, have retained the Honourable Thomas Albert Cromwell, CC as counsel.

Again, my thanks to all Canadians. Regardless of background, geography, or party affiliation, we must stand together for the values that Canada is built on, and which are the foundation for our future.

I look forward to continuing to serve as the Member of Parliament for Vancouver-Granville.
• The case for—and problem with—remediation deals like the one SNC-Lavalin wants </s> Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott will both be running as independents in the federal election this October.

Both made the announcement in their home ridings on Monday afternoon, Wilson Raybould in Vancouver Granville and Philpott in Markham-Stoufville

Wilson-Raybould said she was inspired to run as an independent by the people who supported her, and voters who told her she inspired them to speak truth.

The former Liberal cabinet ministers, both of whom resigned over the SNC-Lavalin controversy.

Wilson-Raybould served as justice minister in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet before she was shuffled to the portfolio of veterans affairs in January.

She later revealed she thought the decision to move her out of the justice role was motivated by her handling of a request to intervene in the criminal prosecution of the Quebec engineering giant, SNC-Lavalin.

Philpott, a former health minister, Indigenous-services minister and president of the Treasury Board, resigned from cabinet in early March over Trudeau’s handling of the affair.

In early April, both were ousted from the Liberal caucus. </s> MARKHAM, Ont. — Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott are set to reveal their next moves today.

The former Liberal cabinet ministers, both of whom resigned over the SNC-Lavalin controversy, have scheduled announcements in their respective ridings.

Wilson-Raybould is the independent MP for the B.C. riding of Vancouver Granville and Philpott is the independent MP for the Ontario riding of Markham-Stouffville.

Neither has said what they have in mind, other than that constituents have been invited to meet with them as they share announcements about their political futures.
• Jody Wilson-Raybould’s last act as justice minister described as ‘inconsistent with democratic values’
• House speaker rules that Jane Philpott and Jody Wilson-Raybould’s privileges were not breached in caucus ouster

Wilson-Raybould served as justice minister in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet before she was shuffled to the portfolio of veterans affairs in January.

She later revealed she thought the decision to move her out of the justice role was motivated by her handling of a request to intervene in the criminal prosecution of the Quebec engineering giant, SNC-Lavalin.

Philpott, a former health minister, Indigenous-services minister and president of the Treasury Board, resigned from cabinet in early March over Trudeau’s handling of the affair.

In early April, both were ousted from the Liberal caucus. </s> By Lynda Powless Editor With CP Files VANCOUVER BC- A political bombshell hit the Trudeau government Tuesday morning when former Veterans Affairs Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould resigned from cabinet. Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould will continue to sit as an MP but announced her resignation just as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the media not 24 hours earlier that “her presence in cabinet speaks for itself.” Wilson-Raybould tweeted out her resignation Tuesday. The resignation comes amid questions about whether Trudeau or anyone in his office tried to have Wilson-Raybould abandon the prosecution of a case against SNC-Lavalin when she was justice minister and attorney general. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called an emergency cabinet meeting for Tuesday morning, though most ministers are in their ridings or fanned out across the country, so many will be…

Is there more to this story? We'd like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Contribute your voice on our contribute page </s> Image copyright Reuters Image caption Jody Wilson-Raybould (L) and Health Minister Jane Philpott (R)

Two Canadian politicians who were expelled from the Liberal party over the SNC-Lavalin affair are running again as independents.

Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott have both announced their intention to seek re-election later this year.

The two former cabinet ministers had cried foul over how the Trudeau government was handling the prosecution of the Quebec firm.

The next Canadian general election is scheduled for this October.

"I am confident running as an independent is the best way to transform our political culture," Ms Wilson-Raybould told reporters in Vancouver on Monday.

In a separate announcement in a Toronto suburb, Ms Philpott also announced her intention to run again without any party affiliation.

Ms Philpott and Ms Wilson-Raybould both said that Canadians need to elect more politicians empowered to represent their constituents in the House of Commons.

Earlier this year, Ms Wilson-Raybould resigned from her cabinet post and accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his inner circle of attempting to meddle in a criminal case involving SNC-Lavalin.

Not long after, Ms Philpott - one of Mr Trudeau's top ministers - quit, saying she has lost confidence in the government's handling of the affair.

What is the background?

Both former ministers were central actors in a political controversy that dogged Mr Trudeau for weeks and hammered at his popularity.

The affair began in early February, when the Globe and Mail newspaper reported allegations of political interference in the case against SNC-Lavalin.

The newspaper reported that Mr Trudeau's office had pressured Ms Wilson-Raybould - at the time serving as federal justice minister and attorney general - to push the public prosecution service to consider a deferred prosecution agreement for the firm.

An attorney general is supposed to act independently with respect of his or her prosecutorial function.

On 12 February, Ms Wilson-Raybould resigned suddenly from cabinet.

She later testified before a parliamentary committee that, as attorney general, she and her staff had faced four months of a "sustained" and "inappropriate effort" to push for a possible agreement for SNC-Lavalin.

The agreement - similar to regimes in the US and the UK - essentially suspends prosecution while allowing a firm to agree instead to alternative terms or conditions.

Ms Philpott resigned shortly after.

In April, Mr Trudeau expelled both women from the Liberal party caucus, saying that trust had been broken between the two and other Liberal MPs.

SNC-Lavalin is one of the world's largest engineering and construction companies.

The company and two of its subsidiaries face fraud and corruption charges in relation to approximately C$48m ($36m; £28m) in bribes it is alleged to have offered to Libyan officials between 2001 and 2011.

It has openly lobbied to be allowed to enter into a remediation agreement instead of going to trial, saying it has cleaned house and changed its ways.
Jody Wilson-Raybould resigns as Canada's Minister of Veterans Affairs less than one month into her term amid allegations she had been pressured by the Prime Minister's Office to go easy on SNC-Lavalin while she was Minister of Justice.