OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to insist on the integrity of his government, after his former attorney general accused top officials of persistently pressuring her to stop a criminal prosecution against Montreal-based engineering giant SNC-Lavalin.

Speaking to reporters in Montreal, Trudeau disputed what Jody Wilson-Raybould told the House of Commons Justice committee over almost four hours of stunning testimony Wednesday. The former attorney general said several high-ranking officials — including Trudeau himself — pressed her to consider overruling Canada’s top prosecutor by offering SNC-Lavalin an agreement to avoid criminal prosecution on fraud and corruption charges. It was the first time she spoke in detail about the situation since controversy erupted over alleged political interference earlier this month.

“I and my staff always acted appropriately and professionally,” Trudeau said Wednesday, repeating the assertion he has made several times about the affair.

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“Therefore, I completely disagree with the characterization of the former attorney general about these events.”

Trudeau also rebuffed a call to resign from Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, who said in Ottawa that Wilson-Raybould’s testimony brings up the possibility of attempted illegal interference in a public prosecution.

“Canadians will have a very clear choice in a few months time about who they want to be prime minister of this country and what party they want to form government,” Trudeau said, accusing the Conservatives of a divisive brand of politics that will favour rich above other Canadians.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at a media availability in Montreal on Feb. 27, 2019. He spoke to reporters following the testimony of former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould before the Commons justice committee. (Ryan Remiorz / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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Jody Wilson-Raybould says she was target of ‘veiled threats’ over SNC-Lavalin prosecution

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“There will be a clear choice to be made” in the fall election, he said.

In her testimony, Wilson-Raybould described a Sept. 17 meeting with Trudeau and Michael Wernick, Canada’s top bureaucrat. She said they pressed her about how Trudeau is a Quebec MP, that an election was approaching in the province, and that jobs were at stake if the company was convicted in court and had to relocate to a different country.

Asked whether he agreed with how she described the meeting, Trudeau said he will always fight for Canadian jobs.

“My job as prime minister is to stand up for jobs right across the country, to make sure that we’re creating good jobs, that we’re growing more jobs, and that we’re defending the jobs that we already have,” he said.

Trudeau also left open the possibility that he will boot Wilson-Raybould from the Liberal caucus. The MP for Vancouver-Granville has already been nominated as the Liberal candidate in the British Columbia riding, but Trudeau—as Liberal leader—can prevent her from running under the party’s banner.

“As you might imagine I haven’t yet had the opportunity to review her entire testimony. I will do that before making any further decisions,” he said.