Policy Sectors

Press Release

NWAC Calls For Truth And Transparency Amidst SNC-LAVALIN Scandal

OTTAWA, ON- NWAC was disappointed over the resignation of Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould as Minster of Veterans Affairs on Tuesday. As the only Indigenous woman in the federal cabinet, she provided an important perspective and key leadership on Indigenous issues. To truly advance reconciliation in Canada, the voices of Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people must be heard at all levels of government.

Former Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould has not provided detailed reasons for her decision to resign. NWAC respects her right to speak for herself and will not engage in speculation about her decision to resign as Minister of Veteran Affairs. As a National voice representing women of many Indigenous Nations in Canada, NWAC believes in supporting the voices of Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people. This means respecting that each person speaks for themselves.

As discussions about the SNC-Lavalin scandal continue, former Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould’s voice remains noticeably absent. To truly shed light on what happened, former Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould must be allowed to speak freely. Therefore, NWAC calls for truth and transparency, and the waiving of solicitor-client privilege. We all deserve to know the truth, and former Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould must be allowed to speak as the expert of her own experiences.

Furthermore, by the Prime Minister speaking publicly about former Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould’s resignation, his meeting with her and indicating that he put no pressure on her with respect to the SNC – Lavalin criminal charges, then the Prime Minister has waived the Government of Canada’s right to solicitor-client privilege. By so doing, former Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould is allowed to speak freely before the Justice Committee.

NWAC is committed to upholding the principles of honesty and transparency in the work that we do, and we expect the same from our elected officials.

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For more information

Please contact Lucy Juneau – Director of Communications.

ljuneau@nwac.ca 343-997-3756

Media Contact:

For information, or to arrange an interview, contact:

Annette Goerner
annette@sparkadvocacy.ca
+1 (613) 818-6941

Pour obtenir plus d’information ou prendre des dispositions pour une interview, contacter:

Annette Goerner
annette@sparkadvocacy.ca
+1 (613) 818-6941


About The Native Women’s Association of Canada
The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a National Indigenous Organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women, girls, transgender, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Métis and Inuit. An aggregate of Indigenous women’s organizations from across the country, NWAC was founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of Indigenous women within their respective communities and Canada societies.

À propos de l'Association des femmes autochtones du Canada

L'Association des femmes autochtones du Canada (AFAC) est une organisation autochtone nationale qui représente la voix politique des femmes, des filles, des transgenres, des bispirituels et des personnes de sexe différent au Canada, y compris les membres des Premières nations vivant dans les réserves et hors réserve, les Indiens inscrits et non inscrits, les personnes privées de leurs droits, les Métis et les Inuits. Regroupant des organisations de femmes autochtones de tout le pays, l'AFAC a été fondée dans le but collectif d'améliorer, de promouvoir et de favoriser le bien-être social, économique, culturel et politique des femmes autochtones au sein de leurs communautés respectives et des sociétés canadiennes.