Yesterday I was at the Cumberland’s Ray Friel Gym. I couldn’t help looking at different TV screens while I was on a treadmill. On one of the screens, there was a recurring flash – ‘Breaking News’. Obviously I was keen to learn what it was and so focused my eyes on that screen. It was the CBC News channel. I saw Mr. Andrew Scheer, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada as well as Leader of the Official Opposition, standing on a stage making a short statement. He was inciting Mr. Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister, to proceed with his libel action over the SNC-Lavalin comments. Mr. Scheer looked all reared to go and defend himself.

I was still on the treadmill, but my thoughts shifted to what has been happening on the SNC-Lavalin affair for the last two months. The Official Opposition has been so exclusively hung up on this affair that nothing else matters to it at the moment – despite all the discussions and deliberations at the House of Commons Justice as well as Ethics Committees and during the Daily Question Period at the House of Commons since the story broke out in February. The key players and witnesses (most if not all) have presented their views orally, in writing, and recordings. Some of the key players have even resigned, while others have been turfed out of the Liberal Caucus, and some have their political careers on much shakier ground today as they head to re-capture their seats in the upcoming federal election in October. All of this is nothing to the Leader of the Opposition and his Party. He seems set to see Mr. Trudeau resign over this affair.

However, the fact of the matter is that Mr. Trudeau hasn’t done anything illegal. Even the former AG agreed with it and she was unequivocal about it at the Justice Committee hearings. Mr. Trudeau may have tried to use political power (who does’t and wouldn’t in the position he holds). Since a politician is a human being, he/she can err at times like anyone else. I am sure Mr. Trudeau must be realizing too that he erred in this situation. On the other hand, he may have thought he was obligated to take some action, like save thousands of jobs, as an MP from one of the ridings of Montreal, or in the extreme case, do a favour to a big corporation, who in turn, may help him or his Liberal Party in one form or another. Again, that’s the normal way an MP works; he/she wants a good working relationship/support from the riding’s big businesses.

What’s at the core of this issue? SNC-Lavalin secured a business deal by bribing some people or a firm in Libya? Now in countries in the Middle East, South and East Asia, and Africa – where giving bribes to have something done is deep rooted and is a part of peoples’ daily life – no small or large firm or corporation looking for a business deal is going to get it without bribing anyone including the local firms or businesses. I am sure all of the governments of developed countries, including Canada, looking for trade/business are aware of the rampant bribery system in aforementioned countries (even the Paris based OECD recognizes this problem). No wonder, we just found out how Export Development Canada (EDC) – Canadian government’s arm to help those wanting to do business with foreign countries – has a budgetary item called “Technical fee”, which is likely to cover the amount paid out as a bribe. I personally don’t see SNC-Lavalin has done anything wrong in securing a foreign business. For a corporation of this type, name, fame, and diversity, successfully seeking business is essential for its survival. If it’s contrary to the Canadian law, we should change the law. Let’s have different laws governing the procurement and administration of domestic and foreign businesses.

That said, let me now turn to Mr. Scheer and his Party’s current stance. In my humble opinion, this obsession to seek Mr. Trudeau’s resignation or his political exit on SNC-Lavalin affair is not going anywhere – if that’s what Mr. Scheer’s bottom line is. It’s time for Mr. Scheer to think of the upcoming election. If he wants to win the election and govern with a majority, then he better start presenting the electorate with his ideas and how he and his team can serve Canadians better than the Liberals. The election is about six months away and he still has to sell his plans on important issues like climate change, carbon tax, moving of Canadian oil, gas and other exportable natural resources, caring for indigenous population, caring for diversity without barriers on their dress codes or religious symbols, inflows of refugees, immigrants, personal and business tax reforms, housing, and on and on. He is just wasting time on something that is minuscule, has really no relevance to day-to-day lives of Canadians.

He can’t win the election by simply boasting to the electorate that “I was able to force Trudeau out on SNC-Lavalin affair”. A victory will need way more than that.

Tags SNC-Lavalin; Trudeau; Scheer; Bribery; October election; EDC