Canadian watchdog group Democracy Watch has called for a special prosecutor to investigate possible criminal violations in the SNC-Lavalin scandal, potentially putting former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in legal jeopardy. The push comes amid allegations that Trudeau improperly pressured his own Attorney General to intervene in a criminal case against a powerful Canadian engineering firm.
At a glance:
• Democracy Watch has requested Ontario’s Attorney General appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate Justin Trudeau’s role in the SNC-Lavalin affair
• The RCMP is accused of conducting a “superficial investigation” and failing to interview key witnesses
• Former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould testified she faced inappropriate pressure from Trudeau to halt SNC-Lavalin’s prosecution
• SNC-Lavalin (now AtkinsRéalis) pleaded guilty to fraud in 2019 and was fined $280 million for bribery in Libya
• Liberal MPs recently voted to prevent the RCMP from testifying about the scandal, raising further concerns about transparency
Watchdog Demands Independent Prosecutor for Trudeau
Democracy Watch has formally asked Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey to appoint an independent special prosecutor to review evidence against Justin Trudeau regarding the SNC-Lavalin scandal. The request comes after years of controversy surrounding allegations that Trudeau improperly pressured then-Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould to intervene in the criminal prosecution of Canadian engineering giant SNC-Lavalin.
The group’s Co-Founder, Duff Conacher, criticized Canadian law enforcement for failing to properly investigate the matter, stating: “The RCMP did a very superficial investigation into the Trudeau Cabinet’s obstruction of the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin.” Conacher’s organization believes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police deliberately buried the investigation with a nearly two-year delay before quietly deciding not to prosecute anyone involved.
Democracy Watch asks Ontario Attorney General @douglasdowney to have independent special prosecutor review evidence for prosecution of @JustinTrudeau for SNC-Lavalin scandalhttps://t.co/minis8n8NC
— Lorrie Goldstein (@sunlorrie) March 21, 2025
Ethics Violations and Political Interference
The SNC-Lavalin affair centered on allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau and his staff attempted to influence Wilson-Raybould to reach a “remediation agreement” that would have allowed SNC-Lavalin to avoid criminal prosecution. The company faced serious charges related to paying millions in bribes to Libyan officials during Muammar el-Qaddafi’s rule.
Wilson-Raybould later testified that she experienced “consistent and sustained” pressure from Trudeau and his office to halt the prosecution. Ultimately, Canada’s ethics commissioner found Trudeau had violated federal ethics laws through his actions in the case, marking a significant blow to his administration’s claims of ethical governance.
Criminal Charges and Cover-Up Allegations
Democracy Watch’s application for prosecution has received support from a retired superior court justice, citing potential charges of Obstruction of Justice and Breach of Trust against the former Prime Minister. The application argues that Trudeau’s actions violated multiple sections of the Criminal Code, warranting formal charges and prosecution.
Canadian Liberal MPs have recently voted to prevent the RCMP from testifying about the SNC-Lavalin scandal, further fueling allegations of a cover-up. Democracy Watch has called for a public inquiry to investigate the RCMP’s handling of the case and its decision not to prosecute, highlighting concerns about political influence over law enforcement.
The scandal remains politically explosive as SNC-Lavalin, now operating under the name AtkinsRéalis, ultimately pleaded guilty to fraud in 2019 and was fined $280 million for its corrupt practices in Libya.
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