Mr. Speaker, I am somewhat surprised to hear the chair of the standing committee on human resources development intervene in this debate today when last week he was boasting about chairing the committee and remaining neutral.
I think by speaking today that he is proving the need for an independent public inquiry. The member chairs the standing committee on human resources development. Today he rises in the House and defends the position of the government. I think he is in conflict with himself. I want him to know as well why I think an independent inquiry is necessary.
Is it not true that all the witnesses called, who were involved in the matter of the use of funds for partisan purposes, were rejected out of hand by the committee, by the majority, and not heard?
Does he consider it relevant to leave Human Resources Development Canada employees in the very awkward situation of not being exonerated? It was not the officials who misused public funds during the electoral period. It was the MPs, the Liberal candidates, the ministers and the Prime Minister who initiated a system to use funds for partisan purposes.
Does this situation not warrant an independent public inquiry so we may finally know just why the government is systematically hiding the situation?
I heard the member's words. He said “This has to be the last inquiry. It has to be settled here and we have to stop talking about it”. That is not what the people are saying at home. They are saying that this whole issue must be studied in depth, because otherwise, the next election will be like the last, and elections will continue to be won with public money. What does the hon. member say to that?