I just finished reading Jody Wilson Raybould’s memoir on her time as Justice Minister/ Attorney-General. It not only details the infamous SNC Lavalin scandal that ended her time in cabinet, but it also provides a thorough understanding of her background as an Indigenous woman, and how it contributed to her decision making.

It was a story hope and disillusionment. She went to Ottawa hoping to begin the work of advancing the cause of Truth and Reconciliation. She put hope in Justin Trudeau, as a lot of us did in 2015. But, she became disillusioned once the Liberals backed away from promises of seeking reconciliation.

Looking back on it, SNC Lavalin may have been the first obvious sign of trouble in our system. It’s not so much the Prime Minister’s actions, but it’s the average Canadian’s response to it. I remember how much coverage there was of her motives behind her actions. I watched a lot of it, and thought to myself.. ‘Or… she could be doing the right thing for the sake of honesty. It was as if we were already pre-programmed to look for the hidden agenda, instead of the actions of someone right in front of us. An impulse that has remained with us ever since.

Wilson-Raybould highlights a lot of other issues within our political system. She spends a lot of time on the negative side of political parties, and how it is a top-down system with MPs for the most part forced to vote with the leader, and their party. Talking points instead of real answers, style instead of substance.

It ends with an optimistic note talking about coming together to fight climate change, and recover from COVID-19 across party lines. Now we have to do is justify it. If you’re looking to better understand her thought process during the SNC Lavalin, or learn more about the reconciliation process, this book is for you.

I give it a 9/10.