Debates of Dec. 7th, 2016

Ethics

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to reassure Canadians that the federal level, in terms of political financing, has among the strongest and most rigorous rules in the country. That allows for openness, transparency, and accountability, which can reassure and reinforce Canadians' confidence, because those rules have always been and will always be followed by our party.

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I am not feeling more secure now, because the Prime Minister actually himself confirmed what we are saying. When I asked him about the May fundraiser with Chinese billionaires in Toronto, he said, “That is why we have committed to engaging positively with the world to draw in investment”.

Liberal Party fundraisers are not the place to draw in foreign investment. Why has the Prime Minister so blatantly and so eagerly thrown his ethical guidelines out the window?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the frustration Canadians felt around ethics was part of why we were elected in the first place, and therefore, it is so important to reinforce for Canadians that the rules are always followed. The values and the principles that underscore the strong financing rules that exist at the federal level, stronger than just about anywhere else in the country, can reassure Canadians that we have a system that works to make sure that we are worthy and are upholding the public trust.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is great to see the Prime Minister, really. I feel kind of lucky because I did not have to pay $1,500 to get in here.

On behalf of all of those Canadians who do not have $1,500 to get access to the Prime Minister, I have a very simple question.

Will he now admit that he has used his official position to pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into the coffers of the Liberal Party of Canada?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Again, Mr. Speaker, it is important to reassure Canadians that we have, at the federal level, some of the strongest, most stringent, rules around political fundraising anywhere in the country.

Canadians know they can have confidence in members of the House, because we follow all of those rules, and understand the values of openness, accountability, transparency that are required in order to maintain Canadians' trust in our government.

The Economy

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it sounds like he is running for House leader.

With Bill C-29, the Prime Minister is trying to take away the protections that the Quebec law offers families who are already among the most indebted in the G20. The Prime Minister is attacking the Quebec Consumer Protection Act.

Why? Is he trying to help the banks?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, our budget implementation bill is important because it will create the economic growth that Canadians need.

After the middle class and those working hard to join it failed to see adequate economic growth for 10 years, we put together a budget that will invest in the middle class, build a strong economy, and protect Canadians. That is exactly what we are going to do by creating opportunities for the middle class and those working hard to join it.

Government Priorities

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, that is no reason to do away with Quebec's consumer protection legislation.

This Prime Minister seems perfectly comfortable in not keeping his word, whether it is on forming the most ethical government on the planet, or his solemn promise to change the electoral system—and he has been in power for only one year.

My question for the Prime Minister is very simple. Does he think it is important to attend question period?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, a prime minister has a tremendous amount of responsibilities, and a large part of those responsibilities is to come to the House to take questions from his colleagues.

However, I am also very pleased to have an extremely strong cabinet. They are here to answer questions related to their portfolios. I am also very proud to be constantly engaged with Canadians across the country to listen to their concerns and work with them to build a stronger future.

We are committed to building a stronger and more successful middle class. That is exactly what we are doing.

Democratic Reform

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Yes, Mr. Speaker, coding with Shopify.

Speaking of respect for Parliament, respect for democracy, the Prime Minister's Speech from the Throne stated clearly that “2015 will be the last federal election conducted under the first past the post voting system”.

My question is simple. Was he lying?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I answer that question in the positive, in that, yes, I am committed to making sure that—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Order. The right hon. Prime Minister.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have said many times that 2015 will be the last election held under first past the post.

I do want to go back to an offhand comment the NDP leader made that demonstrates his lack of respect for our economy. The fact that he does not understand that investing in good Canadian businesses, investing in coding, making sure we have opportunities for our youth is not something to joke about.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

I remind members to be judicious in their language. We do not accuse other members of lying or deliberately misleading the House.

The hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean.

Ethics

[Denis Lebel, Conservative, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, clearly, the office of prime minister deserves to be treated with a great deal of respect. I am confident that the Prime Minister will continue to do so, but again today, another fundraising activity involving him, this time in Montreal, is raising questions.

The organizers candidly promoted the fact that participants could have privileged access to the Prime Minister if they paid $1,500 to attend the event.

Does the Prime Minister realize that, when people do that, they are tarnishing the Prime Minister's image?

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

Mr. Speaker, we held unprecedented public consultations in order to respond to the real challenges Canadians are facing.

I want to assure Canadians that the rules governing fundraising are among the strictest in the country, and we follow the rules.

[Denis Lebel, Conservative, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps it is only unprecedented for the Liberal Party.

I had the honour of being part of a government that travelled across the country, all year round, in preparation for the budget every year, with former ministers Mr. Flaherty and Mr. Oliver. We criss-crossed the country.

Perhaps it is unprecedented for the Liberals, but not for a Canadian government.

Asking for $1,500 for access to the Prime Minister and to be able to talk to him, now that is unprecedented.

Do the Liberals realize that giving access to the Prime Minister in exchange for money violates the rules of ethics?

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

Mr. Speaker, our government will continue its consultations and engagement with Canadians, because we need to respond to the real challenges they are facing.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that political financing laws in Canada are the most advanced, constrained, and transparent in the world.

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

Mr. Speaker, the ethical ship the Liberals sailed in on is sinking like the Titanic.

Day after day, more and more people are coming forward, admitting they have paid to play with the Prime Minister. It is abundantly clear to everyone the Prime Minister never intended to follow his own open and accountable government rules.

When will the Prime Minister stop the charade, and put an end to these unethical, shady, 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, this government will continue to engage with Canadians. This government will continue to consult with Canadians. This government will continue to respond to the very real challenges that Canadians are facing.

I can assure Canadians that when it comes to the rules governing political financing, they are amongst the strictest in this country, and this party, this government will continue to follow the rules.

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie—Innisfil, ON]

Mr. Speaker, whether it is hosting elites, high priced lawyers, or Chinese tycoons, Liberal fundraisers are marketed as a chance to lobby the government. An IT start-up entrepreneur was told that $1,500 would get her close to the PM and his rich friends. That is cash for access.

The Liberals' response is an endless loop of “we have some of the strictest rules in the country”. We know the rules, because Conservatives wrote them, but the Prime Minister set his own rules for himself and his ministers.

Will the Liberals finally admit their promises and their rules are not worth the paper they are written on?

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

Mr. Speaker, as I have had the opportunity to say, time and time again, and I appreciate the opportunity to once again remind Canadians and to assure Canadians, that when it comes to the rules around political financing, they are amongst the strictest in this country.

This party, this government, will continue to follow the rules. This government will continue to respond to the very real challenges that Canadians are facing. I am proud to have some of my own constituents here on the Hill today, and I will continue to work hard for them.

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the government House leader gets up day after day, and repeats the same lines over and over, lines that the Prime Minister—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!