House of Commons Hansard #183 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was families.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, when soldiers are so close to the front line that they are being shot at by their allies, it is because they are being mistaken for the enemy; it is because they are on the front line; it is because they are in combat. That is the simple reality.
Why are Canadian soldiers on the front line? That is not what this Parliament voted on. Why is the Prime Minister allowing it?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the truth is, of course, that the NDP voted against this military mission. The truth is that Parliament voted for it. Parliament voted for it because we want to give all the help we can to the brave Kurdish people who are resisting the advance of ISIL and are willing to take on the fighting themselves. We are giving them advice and assistance. Yes, we are doing that in a robust way, but we are absolutely following what we said we would do in this Parliament, and we will continue to do that.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, let us look, word for word, at what the Prime Minister actually told Canadians and, word for word, what this Parliament voted on.
On September 30, he stated, “It is quite precise. It is to advise and to assist. It is not to accompany.” I am quoting word for word what the Prime Minister said on September 30.
This House adopted a motion that states, word for word, “that the Government of Canada will not deploy troops in ground combat operations”.
Why is it that our soldiers are not just accompanying, but are dying in combat on the front line?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, there are several false statements in the NDP leader's remarks. The reality is that the mandate is very clear and our soldiers are carrying it out exactly as they should. That was the case during this incident.
Justin Trudeau Liberal Papineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, this weekend the Minister of National Defence posted images of special forces in Iraq, risking their safety. He also described the Muslim Ashura ceremony as ISIL enslavement. We were also reminded last week that this same minister had announced on social media that Corporal Cirillo had tragically died before his family and comrades even knew.
Has the Prime Minister reprimanded his minister for any of this behaviour?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence, who of course is new in the portfolio, is taking over one of the most important missions the government has at any time, which is the safety of our country and of the brave men and women who serve our country through various missions.
I have full confidence in the Minister of National Defence.
Justin Trudeau Liberal Papineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, the Minister of National Defence, and the hon. member for New Brunswick Southwest showed through their actions and words over the past few days that this government is going after minorities in an irresponsible way.
Instead of attacking and being divisive, this government should put its energy into an economic plan for this country. That is the priority.
Can the government tell us when it will table its budget?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, given the speech he delivered last night, it is clear that it is the leader of the Liberal Party who is taking an irresponsible position on minorities in this country.
As far as the economic plan is concerned, the government's record reflects the progress we have made. A total of 1.2 million net new jobs have been created since the depths of the recession. That is one of the best records in the world.
Justin Trudeau Liberal Papineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration said that the hijab was an indefensible perversion of Canadian values. The hon. member for New Brunswick Southwest said disgraceful things about foreign workers.
Instead of dividing Canadians, this Prime Minister should get his priorities straight and present his economic plan to Canadians.
Again, when will he table his budget?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I just answered that question about the economy.
However, the leader of the Liberal Party continues to bring up his position on the niqab, not seeming to understand why almost all Canadians oppose the wearing of face coverings during citizenship ceremonies.
It is very easy to understand why we do not allow people to cover their faces during citizenship ceremonies. Why would Canadians, contrary to our own values, embrace a practice at that time that is not transparent, that is not open, and frankly is rooted in a culture that is anti-women? That is unacceptable to Canadians and unacceptable to Canadian women, and that is why this government—
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, when we questioned the Prime Minister about Pamela Wallin two years ago, he denied that she was using taxpayers' money to travel to Conservative Party fundraisers. He said that he categorically rejected such suggestions.
Does the Prime Minister still maintain that Pamela Wallin did not use taxpayers' money to attend Conservative Party fundraising activities?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, at the time, I indicated that all the senator's expenses would be reviewed to discover the facts. We did that, and the senator must be held accountable for her actions.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, actually here is what the Prime Minister said, and the first person singular here is himself. He personally vouched for Senator Wallin's travel claims, saying “In terms of Senator Wallin, I have looked at the numbers.”
That is what he told the House. He went on to say that according to him, everything was just fine.
Does the Prime Minister still believe that Ms. Wallin's expenses were perfectly legal and appropriate? He hired her to do the fundraising for the Conservative Party. Is that the reason that he saw no problems with it at the time?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, if one reads the record, one will see that I observed that her expenses were similar to other western MPs, but I also said that all would be examined, that all the expenses would be audited to make sure they were correct. Upon discovering that they were not proper and correct, this party has taken the appropriate action. Ms. Wallin has not been a member of this caucus for two years and is going to face full accountability for her actions.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, I wonder when the Conservative Party is going to make a full accounting of all the money it took, thanks to Pamela Wallin.
The Minister of Public Works is the Prime Minister's closest and most faithful minister—
Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Public Works is the Prime Minister's closest and most faithful minister, and she has just been found guilty of conflict of interest by facilitating a multi-million dollar project for a close Conservative supporter. How will the Prime Minister respond to the ethic commissioner's report, which severely criticizes his Minister of Public Works?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, to clarify the other matter, the Conservative Party has not been charged with taking public money from Pamela Wallin. On the contrary, it is the NDP that took taxpayers' money from parliamentary funds.
Let us be very clear about that. It is the NDP that is accused of taking money from the public purse.
The Minister of Public Works, while Minister of Human Resources, made a decision that was within her discretionary authority as minister. I believe she acted in good faith. She certainly had no personal interests whatsoever in the decision and she supported accessibility for disabled people in the riding, but we will obviously act upon the findings of the report to make sure the process treats everyone equitably and fairly.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, we are willing and ready to go before a judge. Is he?
There were senior officials under the minister, a political staffer in her office, two other cabinet members, and, wait for it, Nigel Wright. Remember him? We remember that the Prime Minister fired him after he quit. In this case, Nigel Wright said that the Prime Minister himself knew that this was “an issue”.
What exactly did the Prime Minister know about this dirty insider deal involving his office, three Conservative ministers, and a dear friend of the Conservative Party?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I am glad the member observes that he is willing to go before a judge and I do not, because I do not have to and he will have to.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Order, please. There are several people talking at the same time. The Right Hon. Prime Minister has the floor, and I will ask members to come to order.
The Right Hon. Prime Minister.