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“What I’m hearing to a great extent here is that nobody is arguing against the concept, but there is a huge question of whether this should be in a budget bill,” committee chairman and Liberal MP Wayne Easter said at a May 8 meeting. “Even I will say that.”

Liberal MP Greg Fergus, also on the committee, questioned why government was planning to give companies accused of white collar crimes a “slap on the wrist.” He also admitted he had not seen that part of the budget bill until that day.

“I do have some serious questions about this,” said Fergus. “I have to admit, I did not read this provision before coming here tonight. I got through most of it, but not all of it.”

Opposition MPs on the committee also wanted to know why the proposed criminal code change was hidden in a budget bill and requested it be severed out and put before the justice committee for a proper review.

“I have some deep concerns here,” said Conservative MP Dan Albas. “I would really hope that we could talk about separating this out or at least have the justice committee review this, because this is a fundamental departure from the way we handle the criminal code.”

It never did get severed. The bill was approved by Parliament as is and it received royal assent in June. It became law in September and almost immediately upon proclamation – as if it was ready made for them – SNC-Lavalin applied for an exemption under the new provision.

They were denied that exemption by the public prosecutions branch in October and the rest is history. Trudeau punted then-attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould from her position in January and last week allegations surfaced that the prime minister’s office had tried to interfere in the SNC-Lavalin case.