Mr. Chair, I want to thank my colleague.
The dates are very important. At the start of the meeting, we learned that the issue concerned dates for the production of records. That's why I'm looking at the chronology of events.
According to Mr. Trudeau, in 2009, he had 10% fewer engagements than in the previous year. In spring 2012 or so, he stopped accepting engagements because he was considering running for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.
All this may be old news, but it's public information. However, for some reason, the opposition is somewhat fascinated or even obsessed with it. Opposition members are trying to take advantage of the fact that the Prime Minister worked and agreed to give public speeches when he was a private member and up until he became the party leader.
He isn't the only one who has done this. Other offices or agencies, aside from Speakers' Spotlight, work with people who are involved in public and political life. As we've seen, the amount provided can range from $100 to $150,000. I'm thinking in particular of former prime minister Mr. Harper.
This is his bio on the Speaker's Bureau website:
Stephen Harper is a Canadian politician and member of parliament who served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada for nine years. He was the first prime minister in history to come from the modern Conservative Party of Canada. Harper has been the member of parliament for the riding of Calgary Heritage in Alberta for fourteen years and counting.
So he was still a member of Parliament. It continues:
Previously, he was the MP for Calgary West, representing the Reform Party of Canada. Harper is now an opposition backbench member of parliament.
Of course, we know that he is no longer in Parliament.
I'm not sure how much of anything Mr. Harper made from this company while he was a member of the opposition, but I'm sure that he cleared it with the Ethics Commissioner because I know how important ethics are to the Conservative Party—I have many good friends in the Conservative Party—and that he publicly disclosed his earnings.
The motion that is before us talks about the production of documents from Speakers' Spotlight.
Lastly, I want to point out that the motion has been defeated twice by this committee. I really wonder about the motives of some committee members.
Given all the major issues that we must address, why is it so important for these members, who want to do meaningful work for Canadians, to get involved in some type of fishing expedition? We should instead be discussing motions that concern facial recognition, a topic that we've already addressed, or the need to have a digital identity. I know that my colleagues on both sides also have important questions for us. We'll be hearing from them soon.
Mr. Chair, I wanted to talk a bit about the motion regarding Mr. Baylis, but I'll address it another time. Thank you for giving me time to talk about my opposition to the amendment to the motion regarding Speakers' Spotlight.
Thank you.