CANADA
Canada’s top public servant has resigned in the wake of controversy over his role in a scandal involving alleged political interference and obstruction of justice by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Clerk of the Privy Council, Michael Wernick (pictured) said he could not remain in his position if the Opposition parties in Parliament did not trust him.
“Recent events have led me to conclude that I cannot serve as Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to Cabinet during the upcoming election campaign,” Mr Wernick said.
It is the latest resignation linked to a scandal that has rocked senior levels of the Government over allegations of pressure put on Canada’s then Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Jody Wilson-Raybould to intervene in a criminal prosecution case against Quebec construction giant SNC-Lavalin.
Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has already seen the departures of Ms Wilson-Raybould, another Cabinet Minister, Jane Philpott, and his Principal Secretary, Gerald Butts.
Mr Wernick’s statement said it was essential that Canadians saw their “world-leading Public Service as non-partisan and there to provide excellent services to Canadians and the Governments they elect”.
“It is now apparent that there is no path for me to have a relationship of mutual trust and respect with the leaders of the Opposition parties,” Mr Wernick said.
“Furthermore, it is essential that during the writ period the Clerk be seen by all political parties as an impartial arbiter of whether serious foreign interference has occurred.”
As Privy Council Clerk, Mr Wernick would have served on a five-person panel made up of senior PS staff charged with deciding whether to inform the public of any threats to the integrity of the election, which is expected in October.
He will be replaced with Ian Shugart, who currently serves as Deputy Minister (Secretary) of Foreign Affairs.
Mr Trudeau said Mr Shugart would take over “in the coming weeks”.
Ottawa, 21 March 2019
