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Second Minister resigns from Trudeau’s Cabinet amid scandal (Lead)
Ottawa, March 5 (IANS) A second member of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet has resigned, saying she has lost confidence in the government’s handling of a corruption inquiry.
Jane Philpott announced her decision to step down as the Treasury Board President on Monday. The Cabinet Minister posted her resignation letter detailing her “serious concerns” with “evidence of efforts by politicians and/or officials to pressure the former Attorney General to intervene in the criminal case involving SNC-Lavalin”, the BBC reported.
Quebec-based SNC-Lavalin is one of the world’s largest engineering and construction companies. The firm and two of its subsidiaries face fraud and corruption charges in connection with about $36 million in bribes they are alleged to have offered to Libyan officials between 2001-11 to obtain contracts in the North African country.
A conviction in the Canadian courts would automatically disqualify SNC-Lavalin from bidding on public contracts in Canada for a decade, which would result in a considerable loss of revenue for the company.
Philpott expressed unhappiness about the government’s response to allegations that officials inappropriately pressured former Attorney General and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould in 21018 to help the SNC-Lavalin Group Inc avoid a corruption trial.
Wilson-Raybould resigned from the Cabinet on February 2. Days later, on February 27, she accused Trudeau, some of his top advisers and other members of the government, of pressuring her to help SNC-Lavalin avoid a corruption trial.
“It is a fundamental doctrine of the rule of law that our Attorney General should not be subjected to political pressure or interference regarding the exercise of her prosecutorial discretion in criminal cases,” Philpott wrote in her resignation letter.
“Sadly, I have lost confidence in how the government has dealt with this matter and in how it has responded to the issues raised.”
The former family physician has held key portfolios in Trudeau’s Cabinet — health, indigenous services and, until this week, Treasury Board President — since being elected in 2015. She will remain on as a Liberal member of Parliament.
Trudeau has been facing calls to resign over the scandal. Despite the resignations of Wilson-Raybould and Philpott, he said the disagreement was normal and healthy in a democratic system.
During a rally in Toronto on Monday night, Trudeau thanked Philpott for her years of service and said he knew that she has “felt this way for some time”.
“While I am disappointed, I understand her decision to step down. I want to thank her for her service,” he said.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.