Thread by @MercedesGlobal

#Breaking @globalnews has obtained a copy of @gmbutts testimony submitted to committee #JUST #cdnpoli

the documents include text messages between Wilson-Raybould and Butts from three different date ranges and hand written notes from Butts as well as a written statement #cdnpoli #JUST #SNCLavalin

Text from JWR to Butts on Jan 8 "Timing of “pushing” me out (which will be the perception – whether true or not) is terrible – it will be confounding and perplexing to people. This is not about me – believe me when I say this –but this is about an approach to indigenous people."

JWR to Butts on text on Jan 8th "This situation is only going to deepen and I am very worried about it. I am getting texts/emails form indig leaders and BC etc. Just felt I had to text.” #cdnpoli #SNCLavalin #JUST

Butts replies to JWR "I said to Jess what the PM said to you, so that we could all operate from the same information. My understanding was that you were going to speak within an hour, but we couldn’t connect..." #cdnpoli #SNCLavalin #JUST

Text from Butts to JWR on Jan 8: "Nobody is “pushing you out.” In fact, the PM has taken the extraordinary (in my experience unique) step of offering an alternative Cabinet post to you because you said you were unable to take on Indigenous Services” #cdnpoli #SNCLavalin #JUST

JWR text to Butts Jan 12 "Hi GB. I am just about to depart Asia en route home… For what it is worth, I feel compelled to say – one last time – and it is my unreserved view – that what is being proposed is a mistake – irrespective of where I am going." #cdnpoli #SNCLavalin #JUST

JWR goes on to text Butts "There is no way to fully explain this… My eyes are wide open on this shift. What I know – as you must – is that there is a robust and proud record of what our govt has done – through my work and that of the DOJ – to advance justice..."

"... accomplishing my mandate letter and more. I stand behind this hard work and all of my decisions and legal advice. See you on Monday JWR." #cdnpoli #JUST #SNCLavalin

Butts responds to JWR “I know this is tough, but we have very good ideas to make it all work from a comms perspective. There’s an opportunity here for you to show people a side of yourself and your talent that you did not get as MOJAG." #cdnpoli #SNCLavalin #JUST

Story by our @amandacconn here on the new evidence and testimony submitted to the #JUST committee by @gmbutts including texts between he and @Puglaas where JWR warns perception will be she is being pushed out and against a DPA #cdnpoli #SNCLavalin globalnews.ca/news/5122143/j…

.@Puglaas indicates in texts she wants to take her Chief of Staff @jesshwprince with her. In a later test JWR writes Butts "I guess you want me to take jess to make room for new pmo cos (Mathieu or elder)" those two PMO staffers are ppl she listed as pressuring her on #SNCLavalin

.@Puglaas texts she wants to keep Prince as her COS and states "And I know why this is happening."
Butts responds "Yes, you do. Because the PM told you why it is happening. We plan on saying the truth. Scott’s departure left a large hole in a major department..." #cdnpoli

.@gmbutts to @Puglaas "...that could only be filled by a senior person with TB experience. JP is the only person who fits that bill. But moving her leaves a large hole in an equally senior role that is core to our mandate and important to the PM..."

"..In the end vets and IS are the biggest spends in the govt after the CCB and Infrastructure and we need two very senior Ministers in charge of them as we head into the final year of our mandate. Nobody wanted to move, but everyone pitched in for the sake of the team.” Butts2JWR

.@gmbutts texts to @Puglaas on why she was shuffled:
"There was less left to do at Justice than at GAC, Finance or PS, so of the most senior ministers, it made the most sense to move you."
"That is the truth, and it is what we will say" #cdnpoli #JUST #SNCLavalin

.@gmbutts to @Puglaas text "Also, neither Mathieu, nor Elder, nor anyone else who's at PMO will be the CoS at Justice, whatever you decide." #cdnpoli #SNCLavalin #JUST

Next up we have notes that @gmbutts took during Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau's phone call with @Puglaas #cdnpoli #SNCLavalin #JUST

I am deciphering @gmbutts hand writing here (which is neater than mine): notes reference "@scottbrison put us in a difficult situation." "Jane. IS to TB" reference about sending @janephilpott from Indigenous Services to Treasury Board #cdnpoli #SNCLavalin #JUST

And of course NOW I get to the typed transcription of the notes which has been provided.

Notes says "Justice in defence mode until the election." not clear what that means

Butts notes includes this: You are one of top players and this will show Canadians how seriously we take this

More of Butts note: JWR “I’m a little bit shocked.”
• PM: “Dream job” for Jane in Health. Had to switch her from that.
• “There is no way this”
• “I love being MOJAG. I’m not going to lie. IS is not my dream job. I’m not going
to lie about that.”

Butts note:
PM: “I know it is not your dream job but it is core to this government to maintain a legacy and to be crass about it to our political legacy.
• JWR: “I feel I’m being shifted out of Justice for other reasons.”
#cdnpoli #SNCLavalin #JUST

Final part of Butts notes from phone call btw @JustinTrudeau and @Puglaas
• PM: “We would not be doing this if it weren’t for Scott’s decision.
• JWR: I don’t agree. That’s not how we change people’s lives.
• PM: “After an election, everything is fresh again.”
#cdnpoli

So from the meeting notes in a nutshell: PM tells @Puglaas they need top talent at Indigenous Services. JWR says IS not her dream job. PM says important to govt and wants it be govt legacy. JWR makes it clear she thinks shift is for "other reasons" PM blames Brison #cdnpoli