Information & Ethics Committee on March 21st, 2024

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

—and the conflict of interest directive.

Of course I did.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

However, the Liberal government has failed to take any action until they've been dragged, kicking and screaming, by Conservatives to take action, as has been evident in the ArriveCAN scandal. Why would you—?

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

I have a point of order again, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

Go ahead, Ms. Khalid.

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

The topic of the day is the federal government's use of technological tools capable of extracting personal data from mobile devices and computers. I don't understand where Mr. Barrett is going. I know you've allowed him some time to get to where he needs to go. I'd like to hurry him along there, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

He still has some time and he has the floor.

I'm going to go back to Mr. Barrett. I stopped your time. You're at two minutes and two seconds.

Mr. Barrett, go ahead.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

I can only explain it to you; I can't understand it for you, Ms. Khalid, ma'am.

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

I'm sorry. I'm not sure what that means, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

Ms. Khalid, Mr. Barrett has the floor.

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

If a member is going to speak to me, then I would like to understand what he's trying to say.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

Mr. Barrett has the floor. I'm going to allow him to continue, and I hope we're not interrupted.

Go ahead, Mr. Barrett.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Your Liberal government failed to take any action on ArriveCAN until they were dragged, kicking and screaming. We hear time and time again that you take it seriously, but you, Minister, voted against having the Auditor General investigate ArriveCAN. Why?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

Actually, we do take it very seriously. That's why I made a very extensive announcement yesterday, announcing the horizontal audit across government. I published a new guide—

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

We heard that in your previous answer, Minister. It's a different question this time.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

—relating to the professional services—

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

On November 2, 2022, you voted against the audit. Why?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

Again, I take the issue extremely seriously, and as soon as—

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

You don't take it seriously enough to have the Auditor General investigate it.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

As soon as I read the Auditor General's report—

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

—that you voted against—

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

—I got to work to make sure that we have—

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

Mr. Barrett, I'm just going to ask that you allow the minister time to answer the question, if you don't mind.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.