Madam Chair, this motion does not say that we are opposed to the sale of the nine buildings. However, without this motion, we would be giving the minister a blank cheque. It is not a matter of political colour or party. This is not partisanship. It is simply about giving proper respect to the members of this committee.
We do not know how the decision was made. We received a press release on March 5, 2007 where the minister said:The government should do what governments do, that is concentrate on its priorities, and ownership of its buildings is clearly not a priority for Canadians...
Can he prove that? What is the basis for this assertion? Has a study been conducted on this? Since March 5, we have been questioning the various departments, the deputy ministers. We asked questions of the minister. He had the nerve to come here and to waste our time. He did not answer any questions. In the motion we use the word “moratorium“. A moratorium implies that we stop everything until the minister deigns to provide us with a minimum of information on what he is up to.
I would remind you that the much vaunted federal Accountability Act is now in existence. We, around this table, have to account for the use of the property of Canadians. Even I, a member of the Bloc Québecois, have to be accountable to the voters in my riding. People talk about losing a good deal. I am not so sure. Nevertheless, the minister will have a choice. He will have to be responsible for whatever happens. If he decides to sell these buildings without giving us any information, I wash my hands of the whole business. It could just as well be a good deal as a bad one.
In terms of image, he will have to live with it. As of now, it does not look very good. Who is going to buy these buildings? The minister said he would use the proceeds of the sale to renovate other buildings. Furthermore, he announced that he would build more office space on the other side of the river, but he will not be the builder, it will be a public-private partnership. So the building will be done by the private sector. See how muddy this whole business is.
We have to be accountable and the government says it wants to be transparent. If you are so transparent, you will vote for this motion.
This is why, Madam Chair, I call for the vote immediately. Right now!