Another minister resigns over scandal that threatens Trudeau

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces during a news conference, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at the Canadian Space Agency headquarters in St. Hubert, Quebec, that Canada will take part in an international lunar space station project. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)

TORONTO – Another member of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet has resigned over a scandal that has shaken his government in an election year.

Treasury Board president Jane Philpott said Monday it is "untenable" for her continue to serve in cabinet because she could not defend the government.

Former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould testified last week that Trudeau and senior members of his government inappropriately tried to pressure her to avoid prosecution of a major Canadian engineering company in a case involving allegations of corruption in Libya.

If convicted criminally, the company would be banned from receiving any federal government business for a decade. SNC-Lavalin is an economic force in Canada with 9,000 employees.

Trudeau has acknowledged raising the issue with Wilson-Raybould, but said that was appropriate.