OTTAWA — His testimony was calm, measured and respectful. Whether it helped erase a taint on the leader of Canada remains to be seen.

Gerald Butts, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s close friend and former top political aide, tried on Wednesday to defuse a scandal gripping the country, denying that any improper pressure was put on the former justice minister to settle a criminal case.

In much-anticipated televised testimony before a parliamentary committee, Mr. Butts painted his interactions with the former minister and attorney general, Jody Wilson-Raybould, on the corruption case against a large company as minimal and friendly.

And he said his two discussions with her had been aimed at carefully considering what would happen to thousands of Canadian jobs if the company were convicted.