Editor’s note: This is an open letter to MP Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, written in the wake of the SNC-Lavalin stories in the news. It was copied to The Chief.
In the wake of this latest scandal from the government, as a member of your constituency at West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea-to-Sky, I hereby ask you to consider resigning from the Liberal Party of Canada caucus.
The SNC-Lavalin affair is only the latest blemish on the government’s disappointing record of betrayal.
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has integrity, he had an option to drop all cronyism with the company and allow his then-attorney general to proceed with her duties in executing proper justice. Instead, he inexplicably re-assigned the attorney general, prompting her resignation, and refuses to allow her to speak. His handling of this affair strongly suggests he is unwilling to execute justice and may have something to hide.
This kind of conduct is nothing new. We have witnessed a partial cover-up when the prime minister accepted gifts of undisclosed value from a lobbyist.
In a more serious scandal, he had been found to have been accompanied on a foreign trip by someone guilty of assault and attempted murder on Canadian public officials.
Even if the prime minister were unaware of his actions, he is still responsible to be vigilant to conduct his business above reproach and leave no questions on his integrity. Here in British Columbia, we have witnessed a premier resign in disgrace over a poorly-handled private business deal, one that inflated into a major scandal that eventually triggered the demise of his political party.
The prime minister’s willingness to cut deals with questionable characters, knowingly or unknowingly, is a serious betrayal of trust to people here in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea-to-Sky, and across the nation.
In her floor crossing speech, Aurora MP Leona Alleslev stated, “My oath is to country, not party and my sacred obligation is to serve my constituents.” With that note, I will ask you, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, to choose whom you will represent, your constituents or your party?
