Yes. I want to begin my remarks by grounding the discussion in the facts, because as much as the Conservatives wish what they hear to be true, facts do matter. Facts matter to Canadians.
After hours of debate in the committee, Canadians deserve clarity. They don't want the Conservative Party to take them down the road of another witch hunt over a conflict of interest, one that the Ethics Commissioner himself has confirmed does not exist.
How much time did the Conservatives waste in Parliament last year? Why is the Conservatives' only plan for Canadians to delay and stop the government's aim to make life better and more affordable for all Canadians?
The entire motion before us hinges on the suggestion of a potential conflict of interest involving the minister on Alto's high-speed rail project, but the central fact, confirmed by the Ethics Commissioner independently, is that the Ethics Commissioner has already reviewed the situation and has found that there is no risk of a conflict of interest.
According to the reporting on CTV by news journalist Judy Trinh, the Ethics Commissioner's office examined the relationship in question and determined that a conflict, or even in a potential conflict, in the exercise of his duty as the Minister of Finance has not taken place. Those findings matter. It should be disposed.
Because of our system of Parliament, the Ethics Commissioner is not a partisan actor. Conservative members and Bloc members of this committee know this. The commissioner is an independent officer of Parliament tasked precisely with making these decisions so that parliamentarians can rely on impartial guidance, not speculation, and with no political narrative, but an evidence-based conclusion. The conclusion here is clear and resolute. There is no conflict.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.