Evidence of meeting #112 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was service.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
Mr. Chair, I'll entertain the questions because I'm happy to set the record straight.
Let's start with the funds, the grants, in question to the Edmonton International Airport. For colleagues who may not have been to Edmonton recently, I'll tell you that it's the fifth-largest airport in the country. Conservative governments and Liberal governments have funded the Edmonton International Airport. It is a major hub of supply chains, not just for western Canada but for the whole country. This is a grant that went from Transport Canada to the Edmonton International Airport—
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
—do you think it is ethical that your business partner was lobbying your department?
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
No department that I was ever a part of was contacted by this company.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
What part of it is not true? Are you denying, Minister Boissonnault—
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Mr. Cooper, we have a point of order, and I'll remind you again, Mr. Cooper, since you're new to the committee, that the subject matter of the committee's agenda approved for today is the minister appearing on the supplementary estimates (C).
I would remind members to keep their questions relevant to the agenda the committee adopted.
Mr. Cooper, speak to the supplementary estimates, please.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
I have broad latitude in asking questions, and this goes to the heart of the integrity of this minister and his suitability to continue in his office.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
He has an ethical cloud hanging over his head, and Canadians deserve answers.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Mr. Cooper, make your questions relevant or else I'll rule you out of order. Make your questions relevant.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
Minister, have you read the Conflict of Interest Act?
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
Mr. Chair, I've read sections of the Conflict of Interest Act, but more importantly, when I transitioned from private life to public life, I had numerous meetings and numerous phone calls with the team at the conflict of interest office so that my business interests could be wrapped up in a way that met all obligations under the act.
Mr. Chair, if I can point to these two stories in the press—
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
—they indicated that I followed my obligations, and that is what's on the record.
May 6th, 2024 / 3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
No. Minister, I asked you a question. You said that you did read the Conflict of Interest Act. That's good. Section 4 of the act provides that a conflict of interest occurs when “a public office holder...exercises [a]...duty or function that provides an opportunity to further his or her private interests or...another person's private interests.”
That's exactly what—
3:45 p.m.
Liberal