Indigenous senators praise Wilson-Raybould's integrity, say her resignation leaves 'many questions'

A group of Indigenous senators most of themappointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, issued a statement today praising the integrityof Jody Wilson-Raybould and saying her sudden departure from cabinet leaves "many questions and concerns."

"The resignation ...this week has led to a national conversation leaving many questions and concerns from Canadians, the Indigenous community and politicians alike. As the first Indigenous Attorney General of Canada and then as minister of Veterans Affairs, it is without a doubt that this important decision was not taken lightly on her part," the senators write.

The senators who signed the letter said that while Wilson-Raybould'sdeparture does not threaten the"promise and process of reconciliation," it is a reminder "of the distance we have yet to go and the challenges we have yet to overcome."

The senators saidWilson-Raybould's tenure as justice minister and the government's top lawyer will leave "a lasting mark in history" that will inspire future generations of Indigenous people.

Watch the Power Panel discuss the letter on CBC News Network's Power & Politics

Eight senators voice support for Wilson-Raybould | Power Panel

6 years ago

Duration 13:38

Tim, Jorge, Jen, Andrew and Supriya discuss the letter of support by eight senators, including Murray Sinclair.

While Wilson-Raybouldwas justice minister, the government legalized cannabis, toughened impaired driving legislationand enacted new laws governingmedical assistance in dying.

"While in that position, she displayed personal strength of character, integrity and dedication to modernize the justice system and work towards reconciliation," the senators say in the letter.

The letter is jointly signed by Sen. Margaret Dawn Anderson, Sen. Yvonne Boyer, Sen. Dan Christmas, Sen. Lillian E Dyck, Sen. Brian Francis, Sen. Sandra Lovelace-Nicholas, Sen. Mary Jane McCallumand Sen.Murray Sinclair.

While six of the eight senators were appointed by Trudeau, they sit as Independents in the upper house and owe no loyalty to the prime minister or the Liberal party. Two of the senators Dyck and Lovelace-Nicholas were appointed by former prime minister Paul Martin and sit in the Senate Liberal caucus.

Trudeau removed Wilson-Raybould from the justice portfolio in January, moving her tothe Veterans Affairs portfolio.

Sheannounced she was quitting the Liberal cabinet Tuesday morning, just days after a Globe and Mail report claimed she was pressured bythe PMO to help the Quebec-based multinational engineering firmSNC-Lavalinavoid criminal prosecution on bribery and fraud chargesin relation to contracts in Libya.

Shehas so far refused to speak publicly about what transpiredon theSNC-Lavalinfile, saying only that solicitor-client privilegestemming fromher time as justice minister forbids her from commenting.

Wilson-Raybould has taken the highly unusual step of retainingThomas Cromwell, a recently retired Supreme Court justice, as her legal counsel as the scandal enters a new phase.

Speaking in Sudbury, Ont., Wednesday,Trudeauinsisted again that the government had done nothing wrong.

"JodyWilson-Raybouldand I had a conversation in September in which I emphasized to her that the decisions she makes as attorney general, particularly in this matter, are her decisions and I was not directing or pressuring her," he said.

"If she felt that she had received pressure it was her obligation, her responsibility, to come talk to me and she did not do that in the fall. She continued to choose to serve in this government as Veterans Affairs minister when I made a cabinet shuffle."

Prior to running for federal office,Wilson-Raybouldwas elected to council for theWe Wai Kai Nation, located near Campbell River, B.C., Later, she servedas the Assembly of First NationsB.C. regional chief.