Article content

Law class, we are in session.

Today’s lesson: what’s obstruction of justice?

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or KINSELLA: What is obstruction of justice? Back to video

It’s a topic that has been discussed a lot, lately, on both sides of the border. Special Counsel Robert Mueller talked about it when appearing before Congress this week.

And, up here in the Canada, the SNC-Lavalin scandal is back in the news — because Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has welcomed back one of the big names associated with it. And that scandal was really all about whether Trudeau and his senior advisors may have crossed a legal line when they intervened in the corruption trial of SNC-Lavalin.

So what is obstruction of justice, class? Anyone?

The Criminal Code of Canada says it happens when anyone “wilfully attempts in any manner … to obstruct, pervert or defeat the course of justice.”

Let’s take a look at that, class. What does “wilful” mean? Our highest court, the Supremes, say it means the criminal act can’t be accidental. Wilful means you know what you’re doing with “substantial certainty.”