The Prime Minister’s Office is condemning the comments reported in the press and attributed to unnamed Liberal Party insiders about Jody Wilson-Raybould’s character.
“The comments made about Jody Wilson-Raybould are simply unacceptable, and have no place in our political discourse,” Matt Pascuzzo, Justin Trudeau’s press secretary, said in an email to APTN News.
It’s the first public response from Trudeau’s office to statements published in a Feb. 9 Canadian Press story that many have called sexist.
On Tuesday the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) published an open letter to Trudeau, demanding he “immediately and categorically publicly condemn the racist and sexist innuendo about Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould that is being spread by unnamed elected officials and staff of your government in media reports.”
The CP story paraphrased unnamed Liberal Party “insiders” saying Wilson-Raybould “had become a thorn in the side of the cabinet,” that she was “difficult to get along with, known to berate fellow cabinet ministers openly at the table, and who others felt they had trouble trusting.”
One source was quoted saying the former justice minister and attorney general has “always sort of been in it for herself.
“It’s never been about the government or the cabinet. Everything is very Jody-centric.”
In their letter the UBCIC executive called the statements “cowardly, low blows aimed at discrediting the staunch work ethic Minister Wilson-Raybould has maintained.
“They perpetuate colonial-era, sexist stereotypes that Indigenous women cannot be powerful, forthright, and steadfast in positions of power, but rather confrontational, meddling and egotistic. These comments from your staff must be recognized for what they are – blatant sexism.”
The letter contains similar concerns to another one UBCIC published in December, after Trudeau addressed Neskonlith Indian Band Kukpi7 Judy Wilson by her first name at an Assembly of First Nations special chiefs assembly in Ottawa.
Wilson, who also serves as UBCIC’s secretary treasurer, told Trudeau he did not have the consent of Secwepemc rights and title holders to run the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project through their unceded territory.
Responding, Trudeau told Wilson she should “be careful about minimizing or ascribing reasons for people who take positions that disagree with you,” referring to elected Secwepemc band chiefs and councils that do support the pipeline.
“I don’t think we should be criticizing them, just because they disagree with you, Judy,” he added.
Trudeau’s treatment of Wilson drew outrage from First Nation leaders.
Former Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Sheila North said she was “taken aback” by Trudeau’s comments.
North, one of the candidates for AFN National Chief last year, said the prime minister “wasn’t respecting [Wilson’s] position as a representative of her people, and she deserves a lot more respect than that.”
UBCIC immediately demanded Trudeau apologize for the comments, saying they “[run] the risk of sending a message to Canadians that it’s ok to belittle, berate and lecture female Indigenous leaders.
“It sends a message that it’s ok to continue these attacks towards our Indigenous women whether it is in the boardroom, meetings or dealing with issues on the land, and it runs the grave risk of discouraging Indigenous women to stand up to defend themselves.”
Kukpi7 Judy Wilson of Neskonlith Indian Band confronted Justin Trudeau in Dec. 2018 on Secwepemc rights and title. APTN.
Following the PMO’s respond to our request for comment on the Liberal insiders’ statements about Wilson-Raybould, APTN asked if the prime minister could respond directly to the UBCIC’s concerns about Trudeau’s comments to Chief Wilson.
“As the Prime Minister has said before, no relationship is more important to our government than the one with Indigenous peoples,” Pascuzzo said in an email response.
“The PM has the utmost respect for Indigenous leaders, including Chief Judy Wilson.”
Trudeau came under fire this week after also referring to Wilson-Raybould by her first name.
Following a funding announcement in Winnipeg Tuesday, Trudeau repeatedly referred Wilson-Raybould as “Jody” while addressing reporters.
APTN asked Pascuzzo again if the prime minister would respond directly to the UBCIC’s concerns over the potential impacts of his behaviour to Wilson, and also to the criticism over his calling Wilson-Raybould by her first name.
“The PM has the utmost respect for all Indigenous leaders,” Pascuzzo said.
Exactly. I never realized he was quite this ignorant. He puts on a good act, but all acts fail in the end.
Congrats on fixing the typo…
The ongoing level of incompetence of the Trudeau Liberal Government is astounding. Whoever is giving the PM instruction and direction on this issue should be fired! The PMO is just digging a bigger hole every time JT opens his mouth. This issue is not going to go away and will dog you til Election Day unless you start dealing with it and stop blaming Jody.
It would be useful for the UBCIC to provide the PMO with a list of Indigenous protocols to be respected and used. That way the Prime Minister would be better informed and able to meet the UBCIC” expectations.
Common courtesy and civility, also known as good manners; would be the only protocol Trudeau should require.
Basically, if he is not a gentleman now, he’s never going to be. At this point, he’s in the PMO, he’s been in plenty of situations where civility, Parliamentary procedures and respect, and mannerly conduct are required.
I guess he’s just trash.
I guess we have to make RESPECT, from the parliamentary on to the pipeline, I figure IF, we as a people, decide to put any the pipeline talks on hold till a) Trudeau and r notley are voted out of office. Then we can resume talks, this way Trudeau and notley, wont be inolved, considering what they’ve done to Canada and us.. b) So suspending all talks would be a power move that would nationally and socially help us assure our connection with mother earth.
Use of given names in the referenced situations is simply bad manners. In my opinion it reflects poorly on our Prime Minister’s character.
For several years I’ve found that Mr. Trudeau’s approach to indigenous relations has had a distinctly ‘Great White Father’ odor making his Andrew Jackson approach about 184 years out of date. I’m not impressed and were I Indigenous I would be even less so.
Justin Trudeau is far more disrespectful and contemptuous towards Indigenous people, particularly women, than I ever thought possible. It’s breathtaking.
I read about his RELATING AN AESOP FABLE TO A MEETING OF CHIEFS!!! after he finished berating them for time management, like some moron Brownie leader talking to a bunch of children. For one thing, he has no business being so patronizing as to tell them any kind of story that supposedly relates to his method of government (and guess what, idiot, your stupid schoolmarm tactics are out of place here) — and for another thing, he could at least have had the grace to use an Indigenous story, but then that story would probably turn in a circle and point itself at him, illustrating why he will never, ever be a leader.
I’m so angry. For so many reasons, so far mainly because he’s emboldened China within Canada which isn’t safe, and is selling us out to China, his adored masters – but again I’m reminded that his behaviour towards Indigenous people is absolutely disgusting. Arrogant, patronizing, colonial for sure, and hateful. He put on a pretty good disguise there for a while, but the mask has been ripped off.
Justin really can’t tolerate Indigenous women who are more intelligent than he is.
I am now quite sure that PET and Margaret are racist. There is no way that anyone brought up to respect others would behave in this manner.
Get him out.
This PM is the most unqualified and irresponsible individual I’ve ever seen in a senior role. Got in on his fathers last name. Totally Ill equipped for the role on so many levels. Has no concept of business, economics, employment or the very essentials of leadership. An embarrassment to all Canadians.
The PM and cabinet have treated former Attorney General, Jodi Wilson Raybould, with respect and compassion. It is the opposition that has been promoting derogatory comments in the media from anonymous sources. A fact you neglected to mention. your article … If Raybould felt veterans affairs and defense was a “demotion” she should have shared same with the PM. I see serving veterans and the military as an honor and opportunity. …. As Attorney General she did not answer to the Prime Minister, but only to the Governor General . Seems people are confused about this fact. Her decisions where her responsibility alone. Nor do the rules allow for her to shift responsibility to the PMO & cabinet. Rules the opposition have been pressuring her to break. We can’t allow hate to be our guide through the darkness.
Typo alert …. The word I think you meant to use was “unceded” not “unneeded” ..
“unneeded territory.” I think you must have meant “unceded”.
During that press conference Trudeau used “Jody” the same way Trump used “Justin” during the latter part of the NAFTA mud wrestle. JT should have known better.
Yes he did and immediately corrected himself and called her the former AG.. But that part wasn’t reported.
Jody l support and congratulate you on your integrity. I believe there are more people than you know that applaud you. It was a red flag when you were demoted regardless of the terminology used to do it. It is.my opinion that you are a perceived threat so you were demoted. Corrupt people cannot have a person of integrity on their team. You are an empowering example to many for taking this step. I am proud and honoured that we have your representation. It is a typical example of what happens when one doesn’t join the hide your voice club. Keep up the good fight lady Prime Minister or not. Principally as our PM he needs to be made accountable to the public for the sneaky inexcuseable decisions that he gets away with. Just sayin…
Very well said.
Bon Voyage Justin!
Your miss treatment of women and aboriginal peoples
will end this October. See you at the voting station.
This is going to be made into a race issue yet, wait and see. Even though the original allegations against the Prime Minister’s office gave no indication that Jody’s Indigenous background had anything to with whatever happened.
James Stubbs
HAS GERALD BUTTS TURNED ON TRUDEAU???
I have a print copy of the Toronto Sun for today, Feb. 14. and under the headline on Page 7, Liberals in Turmoil, MPs break ranks — is the following which I find incredulous.
Using #standwithjody Trudeau’s senior political adviser, Gerald Butts Tweeted Wednesday, “Whether the SNC case is clear legal interference or a grey edge with regular government business, TRUDEAU HAS SHOWN A LACK OF INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY AND RESPECT”
Is this really something that Butts would tweet and if so what is his motivation? Does he smell the whiff of a prison cell so he’s trying to deflect back to his boss? If so how long will he keep his job? I can find no other reference to this on line which baffles me. You’d think it would be front page news.
Reply to James Stubbs:
By “incredulous” I assume you mean it’s unbelievable. That would be correct is if it was in the Toronto Sun. I couldn’t find any such tweet on Gerald Butt’s twitter feed. Check it out yourself – @gmbutts – obviously if it didn’t exist there was no motivation and that would make the rest of your comment has no purpose.
It’s not likely that Butts would tweet that. i can’t stand Butts, but I know that even if he has turned on Trudeau, also unlikely – he’d be more strategic about it.
I don’t think jail is involved.
Exactly. I never realized he was quite this ignorant. He puts on a good act, but all acts fail in the end.
Justin Trudeau is far more disrespectful and contemptuous towards Indigenous people, particularly women, than I ever thought possible. It’s breathtaking.
I read about his RELATING AN AESOP FABLE TO A MEETING OF CHIEFS!!! after he finished berating them for time management, like some moron Brownie leader talking to a bunch of children. For one thing, he has no business being so patronizing as to tell them any kind of story that supposedly relates to his method of government (and guess what, idiot, your stupid schoolmarm tactics are out of place here) — and for another thing, he could at least have had the grace to use an Indigenous story, but then that story would probably turn in a circle and point itself at him, illustrating why he will never, ever be a leader.
I’m so angry. For so many reasons, so far mainly because he’s emboldened China within Canada which isn’t safe, and is selling us out to China, his adored masters – but again I’m reminded that his behaviour towards Indigenous people is absolutely disgusting. Arrogant, patronizing, colonial for sure, and hateful. He put on a pretty good disguise there for a while, but the mask has been ripped off.
Justin really can’t tolerate Indigenous women who are more intelligent than he is.
I am now quite sure that PET and Margaret are racist. There is no way that anyone brought up to respect others would behave in this manner.
Get him out.
It would be useful for the UBCIC to provide the PMO with a list of Indigenous protocols to be respected and used. That way the Prime Minister would be better informed and able to meet the UBCIC” expectations.
Common courtesy and civility, also known as good manners; would be the only protocol Trudeau should require.
Basically, if he is not a gentleman now, he’s never going to be. At this point, he’s in the PMO, he’s been in plenty of situations where civility, Parliamentary procedures and respect, and mannerly conduct are required.
I guess he’s just trash.
I guess we have to make RESPECT, from the parliamentary on to the pipeline, I figure IF, we as a people, decide to put any the pipeline talks on hold till a) Trudeau and r notley are voted out of office. Then we can resume talks, this way Trudeau and notley, wont be inolved, considering what they’ve done to Canada and us.. b) So suspending all talks would be a power move that would nationally and socially help us assure our connection with mother earth.
The ongoing level of incompetence of the Trudeau Liberal Government is astounding. Whoever is giving the PM instruction and direction on this issue should be fired! The PMO is just digging a bigger hole every time JT opens his mouth. This issue is not going to go away and will dog you til Election Day unless you start dealing with it and stop blaming Jody.
Congrats on fixing the typo…
Use of given names in the referenced situations is simply bad manners. In my opinion it reflects poorly on our Prime Minister’s character.
For several years I’ve found that Mr. Trudeau’s approach to indigenous relations has had a distinctly ‘Great White Father’ odor making his Andrew Jackson approach about 184 years out of date. I’m not impressed and were I Indigenous I would be even less so.
This PM is the most unqualified and irresponsible individual I’ve ever seen in a senior role. Got in on his fathers last name. Totally Ill equipped for the role on so many levels. Has no concept of business, economics, employment or the very essentials of leadership. An embarrassment to all Canadians.
Jody l support and congratulate you on your integrity. I believe there are more people than you know that applaud you. It was a red flag when you were demoted regardless of the terminology used to do it. It is.my opinion that you are a perceived threat so you were demoted. Corrupt people cannot have a person of integrity on their team. You are an empowering example to many for taking this step. I am proud and honoured that we have your representation. It is a typical example of what happens when one doesn’t join the hide your voice club. Keep up the good fight lady Prime Minister or not. Principally as our PM he needs to be made accountable to the public for the sneaky inexcuseable decisions that he gets away with. Just sayin…
Very well said.
The PM and cabinet have treated former Attorney General, Jodi Wilson Raybould, with respect and compassion. It is the opposition that has been promoting derogatory comments in the media from anonymous sources. A fact you neglected to mention. your article … If Raybould felt veterans affairs and defense was a “demotion” she should have shared same with the PM. I see serving veterans and the military as an honor and opportunity. …. As Attorney General she did not answer to the Prime Minister, but only to the Governor General . Seems people are confused about this fact. Her decisions where her responsibility alone. Nor do the rules allow for her to shift responsibility to the PMO & cabinet. Rules the opposition have been pressuring her to break. We can’t allow hate to be our guide through the darkness.
Typo alert …. The word I think you meant to use was “unceded” not “unneeded” ..
“unneeded territory.” I think you must have meant “unceded”.
During that press conference Trudeau used “Jody” the same way Trump used “Justin” during the latter part of the NAFTA mud wrestle. JT should have known better.
Yes he did and immediately corrected himself and called her the former AG.. But that part wasn’t reported.
This is going to be made into a race issue yet, wait and see. Even though the original allegations against the Prime Minister’s office gave no indication that Jody’s Indigenous background had anything to with whatever happened.
James Stubbs
HAS GERALD BUTTS TURNED ON TRUDEAU???
I have a print copy of the Toronto Sun for today, Feb. 14. and under the headline on Page 7, Liberals in Turmoil, MPs break ranks — is the following which I find incredulous.
Using #standwithjody Trudeau’s senior political adviser, Gerald Butts Tweeted Wednesday, “Whether the SNC case is clear legal interference or a grey edge with regular government business, TRUDEAU HAS SHOWN A LACK OF INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY AND RESPECT”
Is this really something that Butts would tweet and if so what is his motivation? Does he smell the whiff of a prison cell so he’s trying to deflect back to his boss? If so how long will he keep his job? I can find no other reference to this on line which baffles me. You’d think it would be front page news.
Reply to James Stubbs:
By “incredulous” I assume you mean it’s unbelievable. That would be correct is if it was in the Toronto Sun. I couldn’t find any such tweet on Gerald Butt’s twitter feed. Check it out yourself – @gmbutts – obviously if it didn’t exist there was no motivation and that would make the rest of your comment has no purpose.
It’s not likely that Butts would tweet that. i can’t stand Butts, but I know that even if he has turned on Trudeau, also unlikely – he’d be more strategic about it.
I don’t think jail is involved.
Bon Voyage Justin!
Your miss treatment of women and aboriginal peoples
will end this October. See you at the voting station.