I guess my concern with this provision specifically, and I think the concern that Canadians would have, is that clause 208 allows ministers veto power over laws passed by Parliament, basically going all the way back to Confederation, as long as they don't fall within the Criminal Code. It makes elected representatives less relevant and concentrates more power in the cabinet and with the Prime Minister.
It's not like Canadians don't have reason to be concerned. I mean, we have seen major scandals from your government, from the Liberal government, where political discretion in the past has intersected with powerful corporations. SNC-Lavalin and WE Charity are two obvious examples. Respectfully, Minister, you were in cabinet at the time. Had these laws been on the book, we would never even have known about any of these conflicts of interest.
Can you explain why Canadians should trust that this new exemption power wouldn't just be more exemptions for well-connected Liberal insiders?