Wernick: 'There is no path for me to have a relationship of mutual trust and respect with the leaders of the Opposition parties'
Michael Wernick, the clerk of the Privy Council that advises Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, announced today he was leaving the public service before the next election. Wernick noted in his letter to the PM that, in light of the SNC-Lavalin allegations that have focused in part on his own actions, a “relationship of mutual trust and respect with the leaders of the Opposition parties” was now impossible.
One of the key roles of the Privy Council Office is to be ready to assist whichever government Canadians elect in October. It has been my privilege to work with the transition teams of three prime ministers. 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.
Therefore, I wish to relinquish these roles before the election. It is essential that Canadians continue to see their world leading public service as non-partisan and there to provide excellent services to Canadians and the governments they elect. The timing of my retirement is something we should discuss, as your Government will have a busy Cabinet agenda until the end of the Parliamentary session, and you will want to seek advice on how best to address succession.
I will have more to say later, but I would be remiss if I did not use this letter to thank you for the confidence you have placed in me over the past three years and the opportunity for extraordinary personal and professional experiences in the service of my country.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick to quit before election - Macleans.caHe has come under fire in the past few weeks after being accused by the former attorney general of pressuring her to head off criminal charges against SNC-Lavalin
Read more »
Social media interference in Canadian elections must be prevented - Macleans.caOpinion: All political parties should put in place social-media regulations to help safeguard the integrity of our democracy
Read more »
Budget 2019 versus SNC-Lavalin: A pre-election proxy war - Macleans.caPolitics Insider for March 18: Trudeau shuffles his cabinet—again, the budget versus SNC-Lavalin and Singh's got a numbers problem
Read more »
Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick retires in wake of SNC-Lavalin scandalFormer justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould has accused Wernick of pressuring her to head off criminal charges for SNC-Lavalin.
Read more »
Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick to resign in wake of SNC-Lavalin affairWernick told the Prime Minister in an open letter that recent events show him there is no path for a ‘relationship of mutual trust’ with the opposition parties
Read more »
PCO Clerk Michael Wernick retiring, Trudeau names replacementPrime Minister Justin Trudeau is replacing Clerk of the Privy Council Michael Wernick, as the head public servant has announced his 'upcoming retirement.'
Read more »
Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick to resign in wake of SNC-Lavalin affairWernick told the Prime Minister in an open letter that recent events show him there is no path for a ‘relationship of mutual trust’ with the opposition parties
Read more »
Privy Council Clerk Michael Wernick resigns after controversy over SNC-Lavalin testimonyWernick said he can’t remain in the position if the opposition parties don’t trust him
Read more »
Father Raymond J. de Souza: Now the OECD is bullying Michael Wernick, tooThe clerk bewailed the things said about him on the web ‘vomitorium.’ Now a respected international organization has added to them
Read more »