Thread by @RitikaGoelTO

Just finished watching #JodyWilsonRaybould @Puglaas full testimony. If you have not watched the full video, I highly recommend it. Some reflections on this and the #SNCLavalinScandal..

1. #JodyWilsonRaybould is incredibly articulate, clearly very competent and operated in her role with the highest of integrity. It is a huge loss for this country that she is no longer the Attorney General as a result of politics. #cdnpoli

2. It is clear the bottom line here for Trudeau and the Liberal Party is power. The votes in Quebec and the upcoming election were what mattered, and it seemed the law was considered an obstacle. What I wonder is how often this type of thing happens and we don’t hear about it.

3. It is also clear how much power certain corporations hold. Given how much acces #SNCLavalin has to the political apparatus. Enough to make the prime minister advocate on their behalf. Very concerning. #cdnpoli

4. I doubt this is a matter restricted solely to the Liberal Party of Canada. I suspect #JodyWilsonRaybould has actually lifted the cloak of secrecy behind which power operates. The power to try to subvert the law, pressure independent actors, and stack the media. #cdnpoli

5. It is not a coincidence that these revelations are brought to us by an Attorney General who is an indigenous woman. Not being part of historic groups that have held power means less blind loyalty to power broadly. I suspect were it another AG we may never have heard of this.

6. This to me is one of the most crucial reasons that we need more women, indigenous people, racialized people, immigrants, LGBTQ folx etc in these positions. True commitment to publicly stated ideals, and less willingness to defend status quo and the “old boys club”. #cdnpoli

7. What we see here exposed is the unholy alliance between money, political power and corporate power, and the arrogance with which they consider themselves above the law and in control of the media. As we speak, the PR machine is in high gear. #cdnpoli

8. And finally we see what happens if you try to stand in the way of power. You are cajoled, outright pressured and ultimately replaced, undermined and maligned. This is how you keep people in line, and most of the time, it likely works, and we don’t see the truth. #cdnpoli

9. Beware @AndrewScheer making this about @JustinTrudeau and the @liberal_party. Our lesson here is how we demand integrity, and hold politicians and power accountable. @CPC_HQ can hardly claim the moral high ground after @stephenharper’s secretive, authoritarian govt. #cdnpoli