Mr. Speaker, it seems the former finance minister lately has become aware of the benefits of democratic reform, but I question both the scope of his reforms and the depth of his convictions.
He now advocates freer voting, but for nine years he supported the most autocratic government in Canadian history. For nine years he hid when his own MPs were bridling at not being able to freely choose their committee chairs. For nine years he developed laryngitis every time he should have been speaking up against appalling appointments, like that of Alfonso Gagliano as ambassador to Denmark.
Meanwhile he voted against the very independent ethics counsellor which yesterday he said was necessary to “bolster trust”. Yesterday he was silent on critical issues like electing the Senate, a den of patronage appointments. In dismissing referenda, he dismissed allowing the public a direct voice in governing their own affairs.
No, it is apparent that Paul's conversion on the road to democracy is nothing more than a conversion of convenience.