RCMP Confirms No Investigation into Alleged Political Interference in SNC-Lavalin Case

OTTAWA – The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has clarified that it is not conducting an investigation into allegations of political interference regarding the federal handling of criminal charges against engineering firm SNC-Lavalin. The RCMP’s statement comes in response to an Access to Information request made by a public interest group, which suggested that an investigation was underway.

In 2015, SNC-Lavalin Group, along with its affiliates SNC-Lavalin Construction and SNC-Lavalin International, faced charges of corruption of a foreign public official and fraud related to their business activities in Libya. SNC-Lavalin had sought a special settlement, known as a remediation agreement, in order to avoid potential severe penalties, including a decade-long ban on federal contracts if convicted.

In early 2019, the Globe and Mail newspaper reported that aides of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had pressured Jody Wilson-Raybould, the then-federal attorney general, to secure a deal that would prevent prosecution. Wilson-Raybould subsequently resigned from her cabinet position and was later removed from the Liberal caucus.

The federal ethics watchdog determined in August 2019 that Prime Minister Trudeau had violated the Conflict of Interest Act in his handling of the SNC-Lavalin issue.

In response to inquiries from The Canadian Press, the RCMP stated that its sensitive and international investigations unit had conducted an assessment regarding the allegations of interference. The RCMP engaged with various sources, collected information, and conducted a thorough, objective, and professional examination of the matter.

“After a comprehensive and impartial assessment of all available information, the RCMP determined that there was insufficient evidence to support a criminal offense, and the investigation was concluded,” stated the RCMP in a written communication.

The RCMP also confirmed that it had communicated its conclusion to the complainant in a letter sent in January.

In December 2019, an agreement was reached whereby SNC-Lavalin Construction pleaded guilty to one charge of fraud over $5,000. The company agreed to pay a $280-million penalty and abide by a three-year probation order. The remaining charges were stayed.