House of Commons Hansard #4 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chairs.

Topics

Motion No. 2BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

7:45 p.m.

Liberal

Scott Andrews Liberal Avalon, NL

He fired him right away.

Motion No. 2BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

7:45 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

No, I do not believe that he fired him right away. He hung around for a little while, and then I understand that it was Mr. Wright who took the initiative to do the right thing.

The Prime Minister chose to try to give the impression to Canadians that he had no idea whatsoever that there was anything behind this $90,000 payoff to the senator. Granted, I have only been around the House for a few years. I have had an opportunity to get a sense of how much of a hands-on individual the Prime Minister is. I have seen the disciplinary action taken for those who decide within that caucus to challenge the Prime Minister. There is no doubt in my mind that this is an individual who insists on having control within his office.

If we take the Prime Minister at his word when he said that he did not know and that it was only the one person, that is a stretch. It is hard for a lot of people to believe that. Over the summer, we had court filings from the RCMP and found out that it was not just Nigel Wright but that other individuals were involved, individuals the Prime Minister knows well. This is, in fact, his inner circle. These are the individuals who carry a great deal of clout. We are not talking about deputy ministers or high-end civil servants working for different departments. This is the inner circle, individuals such as the chief of staff and his legal advisers. They are individuals he confers with on a weekly basis. The Prime Minister wants Canadians to believe that he knew nothing about this.

He had an excellent opportunity to stand in his place today. We had a matter of privilege that challenged whether the House has been misled on this issue. Whenever I have seen that sort of challenge before, often we will get the minister in question wanting to address that matter of privilege to ensure that his or her side is being heard, but not this Prime Minister.

He has chosen not to answer the questions straightforwardly and honestly. How many questions did we ask today? I think there were eight questions on this issue. We are only given nine questions, but we asked eight of those nine questions on this very important issue. What did we get in terms of response? We got some very vague comments, and they were completely off the mark, in terms of relevance, in 85% of the responses to the questions we brought forward.

The Prime Minister continues to want to hide from the truth. It seems that he does not want Canadians to know what he knows and to what degree the Prime Minister's Office is directly involved in the Senate and that $90,000 cheque. Why cannot Canadians see the actual cheque that was written? Why cannot Canadians get a straightforward, honest, transparent answer on this important issue? One would think this is something on which the Prime Minister would want to provide clarity. Even if he does not want to provide it directly to the House, he could have a press conference and convey it directly to Canadians. They have a right to know.

I will tell members that the Liberal Party will continue to hound the Prime Minister on this issue until we get to the truth on it. It is only a question of time. This issue is not going to disappear, no matter how the Conservatives try to change the channel. That is what they have been trying to do: change the channel. They would love to see this as nothing more than a Senate issue, where we have some rogue Prime Minister-appointed senators who have apparently inappropriately spent taxpayer dollars. That is a serious issue. There is no doubt that we will get more clarity on that issue.

Now motions are being brought forward, all in an attempt to try to change the channel, I would argue. However, the more important issue has to be what the Prime Minister knew, when he is going to come clean with Canadians on that issue, and when he knew the information. Very importantly, did the Prime Minister not tell the truth to Canadians when he responded, whether inside or outside the House, as to the level of his understanding of what took place with that $90,000 cheque and how his office attempted to influence what was taking place with Senator Duffy? I believe that it will only be a question of time before we see that this issue has been resolved.

Even though we talk about the proroguing of the session, we in the Liberal Party recognize the value of such work as the committee on the 600 missing and murdered women and young girls. We see that as a positive initiative. There are a number of initiatives that are very positive. We want to see that work continue on, such as the work in terms of transparency and accountability, which is something the leader of the Liberal Party started in June. We do see some momentum on that. The Conservatives are now onside. We want to see that continue on along with some of the legislation.

With those few words, I am sure people can appreciate the concerns that we have within our party. Ultimately, we believe that we will get to the truth in one fashion or another.

Motion No. 2BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin

It being 8 p.m., it is my duty to interrupt the proceedings and put forthwith every question necessary to dispose of Motion No. 2 under government orders.

Is the House ready for the question?

Motion No. 2BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8 p.m.

Some hon. members

Question.

Motion No. 2BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin

Pursuant to the Speaker's ruling on Thursday, October 17, 2013, the first question will be on paragraph (a) of Motion No. 2 under government orders.

The question is on the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Motion No. 2BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

No.

Motion No. 2BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin

All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.

Motion No. 2BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8 p.m.

Some hon. members

Yea.

Motion No. 2BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin

All those opposed will please say nay.

Motion No. 2BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Motion No. 2BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin

In my opinion the yeas have it.

And five or more members having risen:

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #2

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

I declare the motion carried.

The next question is on paragraphs (b) through (m) of Motion No. 2 under government orders.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

No.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

All those in favour will please say yea.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Yea.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

All those opposed will please say nay.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

In my opinion the yeas have it.

And five or more members having risen:

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #3

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEESGovernment Orders

8:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

I declare the motion carried.

It being 8:34 p.m., the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 8:34 p.m.)