Another MP has resigned from cabinet in the wake of the SNC-Lavalin affair.
Jane Philpott, MP for Markham-Stouffville, was tapped to serve as President of the Treasury Board after Scott Brison resigned his post in January.
In a statement released this afternoon, Philpott says she must abide by her core values, ethical responsibilities and constitutional obligations.
It grieves me to resign from a portfolio where I was at work to deliver an important mandate. I must abide by my core values, my ethical responsibilities, constitutional obligations. There can be a cost to acting on one’s principles, but there is a bigger cost to abandoning them. pic.twitter.com/EwO5dtdgG6
— Jane Philpott (@janephilpott) March 4, 2019
“In Canada, the constitutional convention of Cabinet solidarity means, among other things, that ministers are expected to defend all Cabinet decisions. A minister must always be prepared to defend other ministers publicly, and must speak in support of the government and its policies. Given this convention and the current circumstances, it is untenable for me to continue to serve as a Cabinet minister,” reads the statement.
Philpott also cited concerns from her constituents and the Canadian public in the handling of the SNC-Lavalin case.
The Trudeau Liberals have been under fire since former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybouldt alleged government pressure to intervene in the case.
“The solemn principles at stake are the independence and integrity of our justice system. It is a fundamental doctrine of the rule of law that our Attorney General should not be subjected to political pressure or interference regarding the exercise of her prosecutorial discretion in criminal cases. Sadly, I have lost confidence in how the government has dealt with this matter and in how it has responded to the issues raised,” reads Philpott’s statement.
Philpott, who previously held the Health and Indigenous Services portfolios says she will continue to serve as the Liberal representative for the people of Markham-Stouffville.
“I will continue to serve Canadians in every other way that I can. I was elected as a Liberal Member of Parliament for Markham-Stouffville and I intend to continue in that role. I am firmly committed to our crucial platform priorities, especially: justice for Indigenous peoples; and implementing a plan to tackle the existential threat of climate change,” she said, adding it was a privilege to serve as a cabinet minister.
