House of Commons Hansard #28 of the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was colombia.
Christian Paradis ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, that is the same question, and I will give the same answer.
I think that what is important here is that when the Prime Minister was made aware of serious allegations, he promptly referred them to the appropriate authorities. That said, the RCMP is working on the matter and will come to its own conclusions.
Carole Freeman Bloc Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, QC
Mr. Speaker, according to the Prime Minister's informant, the Conservative couple allegedly had dummy companies created in for them in Belize. The scheme would allow Rahim Jaffer and the former status of women minister to make money without being bothered by Revenue Canada. The minister allegedly even used a government trip in July 2008 to complete this transaction.
Did the Prime Minister at least verify this information?
Christian Paradis ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister acted promptly and responsibly. When he was made aware of serious allegations, he referred them to the appropriate authorities.
These allegations have nothing to do with government business. If the member has allegations and information to submit, she can should bring them forward here or outside the House. But she must stop this fishing expedition.
Jack Layton NDP Toronto—Danforth, ON
Mr. Speaker, the spouses of members of our Canadian military slain in the line of duty were told that they would get the first call on government jobs. They were told that by the Conservative government two years ago.
Yet, we see no action whatsoever. In fact, even Public Service Commission President Maria Barrados has said that she has been frustrated by the government's foot-dragging on this important idea.
Spouses are supposed to get on the public service's priority list within two years of their loved one being killed. Why has that not happened yet?
Stockwell Day ConservativePresident of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Mr. Speaker, other than the brave soldiers themselves who perish in the course of action, nobody has suffered more than spouses and their families. It is for that reason we agree. As a matter of fact, we have always supported that spouses should have this preferential treatment. Officials are working with the Public Service Commission and we expect to see these regulations fully implemented in May.
Jack Layton NDP Toronto—Danforth, ON
Mr. Speaker, after having served their country with courage, many veterans and their families are abandoned by the government. The Conservatives have axed support for veterans living in private homes. Compensation offered to seriously wounded soldiers is insufficient and is far below what our allies offer. Families of slain soldiers are not getting access to the jobs promised.
Why do such a large number of veterans in Canada live below the poverty line?
Jean-Pierre Blackburn ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture)
Mr. Speaker, we owe a lot to our veterans who risked their lives. Programs have been implemented since the new veterans charter was passed. This charter received a broad consensus across the country and among the military and veterans.
I would like to remind the NDP leader that we are now focusing on reintegrating people into civilian life and our programs take that particular factor into consideration.
Jack Layton NDP Toronto—Danforth, ON
Mr. Speaker, the veterans charter, proposed by a good New Democrat member of this Parliament, was brought forward and we thought the government was going to be serious about it, but it turns out that was not the case.
In fact, we are seeing that action is simply not happening, except that the Prime Minister saw fit to go to a veterans food bank in Calgary for a photo-op. Does he not realize that if he was doing his job to look after the veterans of this country and their families, there would not be a need for a veterans food bank?
Why do Conservatives not start taking action and backing up their rhetoric with some deeds?
Jean-Pierre Blackburn ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture)
Mr. Speaker, there are two parts to the question. First of all, when injured veterans return home, they receive a lump sum payment, the amount of which depends on the injury. Then, if they join a rehabilitation program, they receive 75% of their salary until they find a suitable civilian job.
It would take time to go into detail about food banks, so I will simply say that we are following the situation closely. When people are not receiving the services they need, we help them find our programs that will benefit them.
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities still refuses to disclose the three projects Rahim Jaffer submitted to his parliamentary secretary. By all indications, one of the projects involved Wright Tech Systems Inc., which Mr. Jaffer hoped to sell off for a $1 billion profit and which his wife was promoting in her capacity as a minister.
Can the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities tell us whether he was aware of the proposals considered by his parliamentary secretary for the green fund? If not, why was he not aware of this $1 billion deal which comes under the portfolio for which he is responsible?
John Baird ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, we have been actively engaged in the green fund. It is doing a lot of great things for Canadians from coast to coast to coast. We just recently announced $100 million to bring clean water to Hamilton, which is part of a $300 million project. We are making major investments in Yukon to help the environment and major investments in northwestern British Columbia.
I am involved in every step of the way. No project was either recommended or approved in this regard. That is the high standard of ethics from this government and this Prime Minister.
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Mr. Speaker, that does not answer my question. This story goes to the core of the Conservative Party and the Prime Minister must shed light on the dealings between his government and Mr. Jaffer's company.
Mr. Jaffer allegedly used government resources to promote his company and we already know that at least two ministers had been in contact with him. A forensic audit is needed.
Can the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Natural Resources tell us whether their offices had any contact with Rahim Jaffer, Patrick Glémaud or their Green Power Generation company?
John Baird ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. Ten days ago when serious allegations were brought to the government's attention, the Prime Minister did the right thing.
Let me remind the House that the allegations brought to the Prime Minister some 10 days ago had absolutely nothing to do with government business. On the issues with which she is speculating, no grants were recommended and none were forthcoming. That is the ethical way to run a government.
I am pleased to tell the member for Toronto Centre that the green fund is also helping clean up the Ottawa River right here in our nation's capital.
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Mr. Speaker, this issue is all about the Prime Minister's judgment. He had ample reason to drop the minister from cabinet. Why did he delay? He should have dropped her 24 months ago for abandoning Brenda Martin. He should have told her to step aside seven months ago when cocaine was found in her car. He certainly should have fired her two months ago when she violated safety regulations at the Charlottetown airport.
Why was the Prime Minister's judgment lacking for so long, or did it just not suit his purposes at the time?
John Baird ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, this is quite outrageous. Serious allegations were brought to the Prime Minister's attention a week ago Thursday and what did the Prime Minister do? He immediately acted within hours.
The allegations that were brought before the Prime Minister some 10 days ago had nothing to do with government business. The Prime Minister, rather than sweep the issue under the rug, did the right thing. He referred the matter to an independent third party. That is the high ethical standard our Prime Minister promised and that is the high ethical standard he has lived up to.
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Mr. Speaker, let us take another look at what the Prime Minister did and his lack of credibility.
First he said he referred the matter to the Ethics Commissioner for investigation but she said no formal request was made. Next, the Prime Minister said the former minister was fully informed. She denies that completely. Then the Prime Minister said the matter was referred to the RCMP. Really, was it?
Can the minister responsible for the RCMP confirm that a formal criminal investigation is taking place? Can the Minister of Public Safety confirm that, yes or no?
John Baird ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, let us be very clear that when this issue was brought to the Prime Minister's attention, when the facts were brought to the Prime Minister, he did not know whether they were true or whether they were not true. He referred it to an independent officer of the House to look into it. He referred it to the relative authorities, in this case the RCMP so that they could make the decision as to whether to look into it.
Notwithstanding the fact that in this instance none of the allegations in question had anything to do with government business, any other minister, any MP, any senator or any employee of the Government of Canada, that is the high ethical standard that the Prime Minister adopted.
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, a confidential military report, an excerpt of which was read to the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan on April 14, states:
During the interviews conducted, it is believe [sic.] that all the detainees were deceptive and they have a better knowledge on TB [Taliban] activity in their area...it is recommended that [names] be transferred to the National Directorate of Security (NDS) for further questioning.
Will the minister confirm that this process is nothing more than the subcontracting of torture?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of National Defence
Yes, I can confirm, Mr. Speaker, that is not the way the Canadian Forces act.
In fact, I refer to a letter from the chief of the defence staff, Walt Natynczyk, that was released to the hon. member. I commend it to him for his reading, where the chief of the defence staff said, “The Canadian Forces do not transfer individuals for the purposes of gathering information”.
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, according to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, Canada alone transferred 60% of NATO detainees to Afghan authorities.
Is that not another example of the strategy of the government which, to avoid a second Somali affair, tries to rid itself of prisoners as quickly as possible and at any cost, even if it was sending them to be tortured?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, what it indicates is that the Canadian Forces are working very hard under difficult and dangerous circumstances in Afghanistan. I remind the hon. member, if he needs to be reminded, that we are working in Kandahar province in the toughest, most difficult part of the country. We are there working with an international coalition. We are there working with the Afghan security forces as well. It stands to reason there would be a high number of Taliban insurgent prisoners taken given those circumstances.
We need to commend members of the Canadian Forces for the hard work they are doing on behalf of our country.
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Budget Officer has said that he is not able to do his job properly. The figures in the latest budget are incomplete and the Treasury Board refuses to give him the information he needs to assess the cost-cutting efforts a number of departments are being asked to make. In fact, the government is hiding its data from Kevin Page to avoid being held accountable.
Does the government's secrecy and back-room games in an attempt to keep Kevin Page from doing his job not prove that budgetary transparency was never in the government's plans?
Stockwell Day ConservativePresident of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Mr. Speaker, the government is very open regarding its accounts and the budget. If they want figures, they can submit a written request, and I will try, if I can, to send the documents they are looking for.
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Mr. Speaker, whether we are talking about Afghan prisoners, the Jaffer affair, Rights & Democracy, the secrecy with Kevin Page, or the political interference in the access to information process, the government always has the same dismissive attitude towards transparency and accountability.
Does the Prime Minister realize that under his watch, democracy and transparency are suffering?
Stockwell Day ConservativePresident of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Mr. Speaker, I repeat with pleasure that if they want official documents, figures, or something else that they are missing, they can call me, send me a letter or make a request. If I can, I will immediately try to send them the figures they are looking for.