The rule of law does not allow for selective application

By Gerald Hall —— Bio and Archives March 10, 2019

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If you have been listening at all to Justin Trudeau's talk either in the House of Parliament or to the media you know he talks a lot about "the rule of law" as though he actually believes in it. When Canada found itself in the uncomfortable position of having to arrest and detain Meng Wanzhou, a Chinese national and executive with Huawei Technologies the reason given by Trudeau to China, and correctly so, was the rule of law. He had no choice but to to accommodate the lawful request by the U.S. for her extradition on fraud charges relating to violating sanctions on Iran.

In light of the SNC-Lavalin scandal Canadians are now wanting an answer from the Prime Minister as to how meddling in our justice system is consistent with application of the rule of law. The recent Globe and Mail story, categorically denied by Trudeau, that the PMO pressured then Attorney-General and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to go easy on Quebec-based SNC-Lavalin is not only causing laughter in Beijing but around the world. It is well known that SNC-Lavalin been doing everything and anything to avoid a conviction by the the Federal Government public prosecutor and that the PMO and at least eleven people in Trudeau's government allegedly pressured Wilson-Raybould to direct the public prosecutor to a favorable ruling for SNC-Lavalin. In her statement, Wilson-Raybould repeatedly cited her independence and the importance of the rule of law. “The role of the Attorney General of Canada carries with it unique responsibilities to uphold the rule of law and the administration of justice” and that such independence is a pillar of our democracy. The allegations against the PMO are alarming, appalling, possibly criminal and politically devastating. Canadians rightfully are seeking and demanding the truth before the federal election in seven months.