Read on Twitter
It's an interesting theory, but I'm not sure I'm convinced that the SNC-Lavalin experience is significantly colouring the Trudeau government's thinking on Meng Wanzhou.
I can't prove it isn't a factor, but... https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ottawa-has-authority-to-free-meng-wanzhou-now-former-justice-minister/
I can't prove it isn't a factor, but... https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ottawa-has-authority-to-free-meng-wanzhou-now-former-justice-minister/
Kovrig and Spavor were detained in December 2018 and I spoke to the prime minister in January 2019, before the SNC Lavalin story broke..
Part of that conversation -- one of several interviews with the PM for my book -- touched on recent tensions with China and Saudi Arabia.
Part of that conversation -- one of several interviews with the PM for my book -- touched on recent tensions with China and Saudi Arabia.
I asked whether the lack of American leadership in the world was contributing to the problems that Canada was having with those two countries.
His long answer is reprinted within this piece by Fen Hampson: https://www.cgai.ca/prime_minister_justin_trudeau_a_foreign_policy_assessment_2015_2019
His long answer is reprinted within this piece by Fen Hampson: https://www.cgai.ca/prime_minister_justin_trudeau_a_foreign_policy_assessment_2015_2019
Heres a bit:
"I am very, very serene about Canada’s positioning ... But also our vision for the future that says, if we don’t follow rules and we accept that might is right in the international rules-based order, then nobody’s going to do very well in the coming decades.”
"I am very, very serene about Canada’s positioning ... But also our vision for the future that says, if we don’t follow rules and we accept that might is right in the international rules-based order, then nobody’s going to do very well in the coming decades.”
"I think the lesson is that all of us need to be a little more rigorous in the way we stand for and expect and push back on others who are not following the rules that we abide by and accept."
"I think this is probably a moment that, again, in hindsight, fifty, a hundred years from now, we’ll say, ‘Yeah, this was a moment where people had to decide whether we do believe in an international rules-based order or not.’”
That, to my reading, suggests someone who was thinking about the rules, upholding traditional norms, and not allowing might to be right long weeks before he had any reason to worry about SNC-Lavalin.
While we're on the topic of previous events that might inform the PM's thinking, I'd also include the taking of Robert Hall and John Ridsdel and his position that Canada wouldn't -- and shouldn't -- pay ransom to free them. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-news-conference-2016-1.3892248
Is it possible that SNC-Lavalin and its implications about his government's respect for the rule of law is also weighing on his mind? Maybe.
But I think there's evidence his mind was already set before SNC-Lavalin and I think there's a clearer line between Hall/Ridsdel and now.
But I think there's evidence his mind was already set before SNC-Lavalin and I think there's a clearer line between Hall/Ridsdel and now.
