The federal New Democrats are frustrated about what they insist is a lack of transparency in Ottawa after the Liberals again shut down debate over the SNC Lavalin controversy.
On Tuesday, Essex MP Tracey Ramsey requested the Ethics Committee investigate alleged interference from the Prime Minister's Office. She had hoped the committee would agree to hear testimony from former attorney general Jody Wilson Raybould and former Treasury Board President Jane Philpott.
Instead, the Liberals used their majority on the committee to reject the motion.
The NDP had been counting on a yes vote from Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskin-Smith who had supported calls for an independent public inquiry, but instead, he voted Nay.
According to the Globe and Mail, he called the motion premature, saying MPs should wait until Wilson-Raybould's written submission is provided to the Justice Committee. He also pointed out that the Ethics Commissioner is already investigating the SNC Lavalin scandal.
Last month, the federal cabinet approved a waiver to lift cabinet confidentiality and solicitor-client privilege regarding the conversations that took place while Wilson-Raybould was attorney-general, but it does not apply to the criminal prosecution, and only applies to the Justice Committee.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had told reporters there was no need to grant a second waiver since the Justice Committee had a "full airing".
“Canadians are having a crisis of confidence in Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government,” said Ramsey. “If nothing inappropriate happened, then the prime minister has to give permission to the former attorney general and former president of the treasury board to tell their full story to Canadians.”
Both opposition parties want Wilson-Raybould and Philpott to tell their stories with no restrictions.
The controversy erupted when Wilson-Raybould claimed she was pressured to help the giant Quebec engineering company avoid criminal prosecution in connection to bribery allegations in Libya.
The NDP continued calls for an independent public inquiry saying the Liberals clearly have something to hide.
