Debates of Dec. 14th, 2016

Ethics

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, let us get this straight on the Prime Minister's cash for access fundraising.

First he claimed there was no business being discussed at these events and he was just following the rules. However, when that did not work out, he admitted to breaking the rules. However, that is okay because he is above the rules. Yesterday, his story changed again. Now we are supposed to believe these cash for access events are all about the middle class.

When is he going to stop working as a bagman for the Liberal Party and start working for Canadians?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, we have said all along that we are always listening and engaging with Canadians from coast to coast to coast on the issues that matter to them. When it comes to making decisions, we are guided by a very important principle: what is good for the middle class. That is the approach we took when we cut taxes on middle-class Canadians, that is the approach we took when we introduced the tax-free Canada child benefit, and that is the approach we took when we expanded the CPP.

We will continue to listen and engage with Canadians so we can do the good work that they expect us to do.

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, here is the principle at stake. The Prime Minister has basically said that he is above all Canadians, he is above the law, and that these rules apply to everyone else except for him. He continues to blindly defend these actions about selling access to his office, with each new excuse becoming more arrogant every day. It is embarrassing to the Canadians who expected more from him, it is embarrassing to the House, and it is actually embarrassing to his Liberal caucus that has to sit through all of this.

When will the Prime Minister finally do the right thing and end these cash for access fundraisers?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, as the member knows very well, when it comes to political financing, we have some of the strictest rules across the country. This government was elected on a commitment to Canadians to work hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join them. Those are the people we continue to work for. Those are the commitments that we made to Canadians and those are the commitments we will continue to deliver on.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today we have more proof that Canada 2020 is simply a wing of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Access to the Prime Minister should not be based on donations made to the Liberal Party or to Liberal organizations. If the maximum amount has been donated to the Liberal Party, that is not a problem because it has other schemes to let people contribute more.

My question is simple. How many Canada 2020 activities did Liberal ministers attend?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, what is important is that the government is listening to Canadians and is committed to addressing the challenges they face.

We will continue to work for the middle class and for Canadians. We will do the work that Canadians want us to do.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after the Prime Minister threw his minister and the president of the Liberal Party under the bus, the PMO scrambled to write new talking points, and they are truly cringeworthy.

The Prime Minister said his cash for access events, where people pay $1,500 to talk government business with the Prime Minister, are meant to help the middle class. Finger on the pulse, Mr. Speaker.

Do the Liberals really think that exclusive fundraisers with canapés and cocktails are a Christmas gift to the middle class?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said time and time again today, our Prime Minister and this government are committed to working for the middle class. That is why we lowered taxes on middle-class Canadians. That is why we introduced the Canada child benefit tax-free for families with children that need it the most. That is why we are working closely with the provinces and territories and municipalities so that we can respond to the very real challenges Canadians are facing.

I know that all sides of the House can work together to respond to the needs of Canadians. Let us keep working hard together.

Democratic Reform

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, somewhere, quietly to himself, Paul Calandra is smiling.

Just a year ago, the Liberals were chanting a new way of listening to Canadians, but little did Canadians know, they needed $1,500 to get their ear.

This is the season for stories, so here is one. There was once a young prince, with luscious locks and looks to charm. He told the good people of this land that he would bring fairness to their democracy and make each and every vote count.

Canadians are suddenly waking up, and they want to know, will the government actually bring in a fair proportional voting system, or is that all just a fairy tale?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Minister of Democratic Institutions]

Mr. Speaker, as a government, we are proud to hear from Canadians before introducing legislation. It is why my parliamentary secretary and I travelled the country hearing from Canadians. It is why we brought together a committee to act as a forum to hear from Canadians. It is why we are reaching out in a new digital initiative in which one-quarter of a million Canadians have already participated.

We look forward to hearing from many more voices before introducing legislation in the House.

[An hon. member]

Hear, hear.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Order. I know it is an exciting time of year. Members should contain themselves, really. Remember, you better not shout, you better not cry.

The hon. member for Skeena--Bulkley Valley.

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, if Canadians had a nickel for every empty answer they got on electoral reform, they might be able to afford to go to one of those Liberal fundraisers. Enough with the doublespeak.

We have an historic opportunity to rise above narrow partisan interests and make every vote count. Here is one more chance for the Liberals to live up to their promise to Canadians. Will they drop the excuses, pick up a pen, and work with all of the parties to create a new and fair voting system where each and every vote counts, yes or no?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Minister of Democratic Institutions]

Mr. Speaker, as a government, we continue to be committed to strengthening our democratic institutions. We continue to be committed to working with all members of the House to strengthen what we have. We are seriously committed to hearing from many more Canadians, not just through the traditional means of engagement but through new, innovative digital initiatives. More than 250,000 Canadians have felt empowered and have responded to our digital campaign.

We look forward to hearing from many more voices before we introduce legislation.

Ethics

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when I came to Ottawa, I learned a new word: “chaggering”. According to the 2016 dictionary of ethics, it means being forced by the Prime Minister to repeat the same thing every day, even if one does not believe it, so that the Prime Minister will not have to answer any real questions.

When will the Liberal government put an end to this practice and its cash for access fundraisers with the Prime Minister and the ministers?

When will he stop “chaggering” us?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, it is obvious that my colleague likes my answer so I will repeat that the rules governing fundraising are among the strictest in the country. We will continue to respond to the real challenges Canadians are facing. Our government listens to and engages with Canadians. We are going to continue to do the work that they want us to do.

Youth

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian youth and students are some of the most vulnerable victims of the Liberals' no-jobs plan. The Liberals are raising taxes on them, thus making life even more expensive for young Canadians. They are losing hope altogether of having a long-term job in their near future. They cannot afford the $1,500 entry fee to get the Prime Minister's ear.

How can young Canadians trust the Prime Minister when he is willing to sell out their interests and their future to his billionaire friends?

[MaryAnn Mihychuk, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, this gives me an opportunity to talk about the many advancements we have been doing with young Canadians from coast to coast to coast. The fact is that we are providing more support for going to school, for getting real, practical training, and for finding the skills and abilities to adapt to a very changing workforce, as we all know, with the new economic revolution called 4.0.

I look forward to working with all members of the House in the new year.

Ethics

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's confession about lobbying during $1,500 fundraisers blackens the honour of all Canadians. Our democratic system is now an international laughingstock. This brings shame to us all.

Will the Prime Minister apologize to Canadians and obey his own ethics rules?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister said, and as every one of our members has always said, we are always listening to and engaging with Canadians from coast to coast about the issues that matter to them.

When the time comes to make decisions, we are guided by one very important principle: the best interests of middle-class Canadians. That is the approach we took when we cut middle-class income taxes, and that is the approach we took when we introduced the tax-free Canada child benefit.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister is hosting an exclusive cash for access event, he claims that he is advocating for the middle class. Really? I honestly hope that was an attempt at humour. The Prime Minister has no regard for his own rules, his own party rules, and he laughs in the face of the ethics laws.

When will the Prime Minister end these unethical cash for access events?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, let us look at the work this government has done.

This government has reduced taxes for middle-class Canadians. We have raised taxes for the wealthiest 1% of Canadians. This government has given more money to families with children who need it the most by introducing the Canada child benefit tax-free. That is also the approach we took when we expanded the Canada pension plan.

We will continue to respond to the very real challenges Canadians are facing.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Speaker, enough is enough. The Prime Minister's cash for access events are a national embarrassment, and he is quickly becoming a mockery around the world. The Prime Minister is selling access to his government. He knows it, the Chinese government and its detractors know it, his caucus knows it, and Canadians know it. It is called corruption.

The Prime Minister has become a laughingstock on the matter of ethics. It is time for the Prime Minister to act like a leader and put an end to these unethical cash for access events.

The only question is, when will he do it?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, this government is engaging with Canadians. This government is listening to Canadians. This government is responding to the very real challenges Canadians are facing.

I am not surprised that the Conservatives find it embarrassing that a government would listen to Canadians. We know that is what Canadians want. We will continue to consult and engage with them, because we need to respond to the challenges they are facing. We will continue to do the good work that Canadians expect us to do.

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this is getting embarrassing for the Liberals. The Prime Minister now says that he used cash for access fundraisers to champion the middle class.

Where I come from, the middle class does not hang out at waterfront mansions or get to jet-set with Chinese billionaires. Where I come from, the middle class shows up for work every day, struggles to pay taxes, and plays by the rules.

If the Prime Minister wants some advice about the middle class, he should try meeting with the middle class.

When will the Prime Minister end his corruption and put hard-working Canadians first?