Thank you so much, Chair. I hope the sound is good. I was gone for a short period of time. You'll let me know if the interpreters have any concerns, because I definitely want to make sure they're supported.
Madam Chair, this is a serious issue. I don't take any of this lightly. We are talking about how elections are done in our country and the impacts of foreign interference. That is incredibly serious, and I take that very seriously as I move forward in these discussions.
I do want to say that when I look at Mr. Turnbull's amendment, I have no problem with it if it's added to the content that we have already in the motion. I just don't see it replacing.... I don't think it's appropriate. There's a long history in the NDP—and I've heard many of my Liberal friends remind us of that—of not pulling in staff. Unfortunately, we're in a situation where this keeps coming out in the media, and it is impacting constituents and Canadians.
I was really surprised to listen to an earlier member from the Liberal benches today talk about how it's no big deal, about how no one in his riding is contacting him. I don't know his riding. He knows his riding better than I do, but I can assure him that I am not here because I enjoy being away from my constituents when I should be with my constituents. I'm here because my constituents have contacted my office enough for me to understand that they are experiencing some serious concerns around our democratic institutions, and we need to take that seriously.
That, to me, is the very point of this. This is why we've been calling for a public inquiry. This is why we've been saying repeatedly that it must be a process that is transparent, public and independent. We've now gotten to a point where all people hear is the Liberals justifying, instead of us saying, “Okay, we're now at a point where we have to have a public process because Canadians are getting concerned and those institutions fundamentally matter.”
I too trust our institutions, and I agree that they could be stronger and better. This is why a public inquiry is so important to the NDP. I think it's very concerning that the Liberals have been pushing back against a public inquiry by suggesting that it's unable to deal with secret information. We know that's not the case. We've seen that happen before. It can happen again.
I'm also very concerned because I heard MP Sahota, when she was here the other day, dismissing them because they cost a lot of money. Again, that's really concerning to me. It isn't about us as politicians. It's about Canadians in this country having faith in our systems. When she compared it to the LRT inquiry, suggesting that it wasn't worth the cost, I'm not sure that people from Ottawa would share that opinion.
I want to bring this forward. This is concerning to me. This is a position right here in this committee where we are very partisan. That's the truth of politics. That's why we're asking for it to be in a venue that isn't partisan, that really takes Canadians' concerns seriously and lets us know what's happening. That's it. It's a transparent process.
I want to point out that I've been listening to my friend Mr. Fergus speak for over an hour and a half, I believe, about the Arar commission and how that investigated intelligence leaks and misleading leaks from government sources, which, I think it is important to note—I think he noted it as well—was a Liberal government at the time. I agree that we got a lot out of that report, and I think this is the part that I find most perplexing. It is an excellent example of how relying on a public inquiry to get to the bottom of things, to get information out for the public to have faith in that..... It's like watching the member argue for what we're asking for. I'm not sure why that is not happening. There's a really great opportunity. It sounds like he's calling for a public inquiry. I support that. Hopefully, we can get some actions done.
I also want to come back for a moment just on a personal note. As you know, we saw something happen today where we had a member raising their voice. I want to recognize that it was dealt with and I appreciate the apology that was made, but one of the things that is sticking with me is the difference between intention and impact, and that when we're talking about these decisions that we make, we must be always focusing not on our intention but on the impact.
When I talk about a public inquiry.... To me, it's about what will be a good impact. I hear from the Liberals that they have great intentions. They feel they've done a great job dealing with these issues, and I respect, fulsomely, all the members of NSICOP. However, the impact of what's happened in this country is this: More Canadians are not trusting their public institutions. I want to remind everyone that we need to focus not on our intentions but on the impacts of the things we do and the actions we take.
It was referenced about the importance of spending time, in constituency week, with our constituents. I couldn't agree more. I've had to move a lot of things to accommodate this day, and I did it because I take my job very seriously, as I know everyone around this table does. I don't want to miss time with my constituents. In fact, I was thinking of Ms. Romanado, yesterday, when I was in Gold River. I was talking to the fire chief of Gold River and Tahsis, and was very disheartened to hear, from the fire chief of Tahsis, that they have no space to deal with their contaminated suits. Their building was condemned and everything is now in a sea can. When they do anything, they have to think about it very carefully, because, if they get any kind of moisture on their suits, how they're going to dry those is particularly hard. They don't have the proper infrastructure.
When I think of the work we are doing today, and the fact that we are sacrificing precious time with our constituents.... Everybody in this room needs to honour that. I honour it, especially because there are volunteers in my riding who will run to the fire and save people's lives and houses the best they can, yet they don't even have the right place to decontaminate their suits. That is wrong, in this country. It's shameful, in this country, and there's a lot of work to be done, here.
I also want to say that, when we see something come forward that is public, independent and transparent, I am very happy to move quickly. I appreciate that a special rapporteur.... I agree that is something used all over the planet. It's a role that's very specific. I think most Canadians know what that is, because Canadians are intelligent. I appreciate that. However, it is a baby step on an issue that is front of mind for far too many Canadians. I want to see it taken out of this partisan place. I don't want to see this issue used to make political wins. I'm seeing the parties using it to make political wins. I worry about that. I worry about how it's being used to create more fear. I don't like that. I don't do that easily. I never do that, personally. I want us to get to a place where we can vote on this and move forward. I listen to what Canadians are saying. I see what's in the media. We need to remember that, if we do not have these issues dealt with, in a way Canadians can have faith in the process, it will become increasingly partisan.
I'm asking everyone to work together, please, and try to get to some sort of solution. Let's go to the vote. Let's get to work for Canadians. Hopefully, we'll see something happen quickly around a public inquiry. I think we can all agree that Canadians deserve answers. This is the clearest way forward, in my opinion. Numerous opinions have come out supporting that. Of course, our leader Jagmeet Singh has been very clear, repeatedly, in the House of Commons, that this needs to happen.
Let's work together. Let's get to work around the boundary redistribution. I am also concerned. I have members in my own party. I've heard from other members who have put forward concerns. They want to be talking to the committee about getting that work done. I think we need to focus on that work, but we're stuck here, because the Prime Minister won't call a public inquiry. It's simple.
I hope you all figure something out. I hope that all of us remember our impact is way more important than our intention, and work for Canadians.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm happy to release the floor to the next speaker.