Mr. Speaker, the former Minister of Finance and current member for LaSalle—Émard has finally discovered the democratic deficit and, probably, we hope, seen the light on the road to Damascus.
In a speech that he delivered yesterday, the Liberal leadership hopeful was quick to endorse the principle of democratic reform. Better very late than never.
However, this is the same member who, when he was minister, remained silent on these issues and worked against his ideals, and did so for over nine years.
For example, he preferred to sway his colleagues to defeat a motion from the hon. member for Fundy—Royal on the issue of student debt. He preferred to resort to closure on 13 bills and to unveil the principles underlying his budgets outside the House.
Now, he is asking for the appointment of a real ethics counsellor who would only be accountable to Parliament. However, when he had the opportunity to do so, he voted against this measure.
This is a member who excluded himself from the decision-making level to pursue his own partisan and personal goals.