Let's start with what happened today.
My colleagues were also very offended that survivors were spoken about that way. We are all keenly aware that we must act quickly on the issue of Drivers Inc. We have a lot of empathy for survivors and their families.
This week, the Bloc Québécois and Mr. Barsalou-Duval posted fake news on their website using survivors as an excuse to compel the production of tax documents, among other things. It's so shameful. They're using survivors just for political gain and not for the purpose of the study.
From the outset, the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois had the opportunity to invite families to testify. There was nothing stopping them from doing so, but they didn't. We never prevented them from inviting accident survivors to testify. It's dishonest to say things that aren't true, when I clearly said, in my last speech, that there would be options for survivors. It's not about having them appear publicly to play on people's emotions. We can easily invite them to come and testify in camera. I even recommended that they come separately and wait until we go in camera to meet with them. We never said that we didn't want to see survivors. What I said, and I'll say it again, is that I don't find it relevant. They are on the list, so we will respect that, but I proposed alternatives, and they were not considered.
For the benefit of those listening to us, and for the record, I have to talk about what was published on the Bloc Québécois website. The last paragraph states that the Liberals have no compassion for families, and four inches below that, a request for donations is made. They chose to ask for money on a website just below a publication that talks about families bereaved by an accident. Why use people's grief, suffering and trauma for political gain? If this is not an attempt to score political points, I don't know what is.
I know it is customary for Conservatives to form a coalition with the Bloc Québécois, to take statements out of context and to create slogans. However, I am surprised to see my colleague entering the fray and asking for funding on his website. I am not sure his party leader and whip approve of everything he is doing today. I am not happy with that approach either, because we on this side are committed to solving the problem. We could solve it quickly by returning to his original motion and saying yes to it, with a view to making serious recommendations, about which I have said enough.
Let's put political games aside. I find it appalling to exploit people who have lost their lives to further one's political interests. I would never interfere in Quebec City's affairs by arguing that Highway 50, which I take to get home, is a deadly highway. When we talk about an issue, we talk about repairs and bringing things up to standard. I would never use the case of a family that has been in mourning for a month to bring the issue to the media or to hold a press conference to say that the government is at fault because the highway is poorly built.
This requires a modicum of common sense and empathy towards our fellow citizens. I will never, ever allow my name to be used on social media, in newsletters or in fake news that accuses me of lacking compassion for those who have lost a family member.
Our motion gives survivors of accidents the opportunity to come and testify with dignity. What I asked was that it be done in private. We tried to find solutions. We suggested that they wait outside the room until the committee moves in camera, so they could be extended a welcome befitting a parliamentary committee.
That's my introduction.
Now I'd like to speak to the original motion. We're now back where we left off the debate on the original motion. I'll go back to the original motion, or Mr. Albas is going to remind me that I have to speak directly to it. We have—