Mr. Speaker, I would like to reflect on a question that I was asked by the member from Edmonton just a few moments ago.
I brought up the example of $1.2 million that Canadians had to pay so that Harper would have a car in India for his India trip. The member then asked the question of what happened there with regard to the civil servant, and the member's colleague was right that the prime minister had nothing to with that decision. It was the advisers who provided that information. Even though I did not like the fact that $1.2 million was being spent for a car to go to India and even though I had a problem with it, I did not challenge the civil servants who made that decision. Now I suspect had I done that, the very member who just spoke would have been standing in this place saying, “No way do we want that civil servant to be called.” However, because he is now in opposition, now he wants civil servants to be called.
At least I am consistent. I am not too sure how consistent my friend across the way is on the issue, so I will pose the question to him. Why can he not have as much confidence in the public service as I do, whether I am in opposition or I am in government? I am consistent. Will he join me in being consistent?