Mr. Speaker, Canadians from coast to coast work hard every day. They wake up early, put in long hours and make sacrifices to provide for their families. They play by the rules, pay their taxes and trust that their government is looking out for them. They expect honesty, integrity and accountability from the people who hold public office.
However, over the past nine years, that trust has been shaken. There is a growing sense that something is not right in Ottawa, that the NDP-Liberal government is more focused on helping itself and its friends than on serving the people who put them in office.
In my travels across Yellowhead, I have spoken with farmers, small business owners, parents and seniors, and they are worried. They are seeing that their hard-earned tax dollars disappear into programs and projects that do not benefit them or their communities. They are struggling with rising costs, inadequate services and a lack of support from the people in government.
They are asking me, “What is happening in Ottawa? Who is looking out for us?” They read headlines about scandals involving millions, even billions, of dollars. They see reports of funds mismanaged, conflicts of interest ignored and insiders getting ahead while hard-working Canadians fall behind. They wonder why their needs are overlooked while well-connected Liberals seem to have direct access to the government.
The choices the NDP-Liberal government has been making have real consequences for everyday Canadians, choices that favour insiders and special interests over the needs of regular people. While families are struggling to make ends meet, the government is spending recklessly, often without proper oversight or accountability. Communities are facing challenges like underfunded services, lack of infrastructure and insufficient support for those who need it most, yet instead of addressing these issues, the government seems preoccupied with helping its friends and maintaining its own power.
It is time to take a hard look at where our money is going and who is benefiting. It is time to ask whether this is the kind of leadership Canadians deserve. At the end of the day, it is about fairness. It is about doing what's right. It is about ensuring that Canada remains a place where everyone has a fair shot and where our leaders are held to the highest standards.
Canadians deserve a government that is transparent and accountable, a government that puts the interests of its citizens, not the interests of a select few, first. As representatives elected by the people, we have the duty to hold the government to account, to shine a light on misconduct and to demand better. We owe it to our constituents to fight for their interests, to be their voice in Ottawa and to work tirelessly to restore their faith in our institutions.
Today I want to address these concerns. I want to talk about pressing issues affecting Canadians, the mismanagement and misplaced priorities and the lack of accountability, because Canadians deserve answers. They deserve to know that someone is standing up for them, challenging the status quo and working to bring about the change that is so desperately needed.
Let us turn our attention to Sustainable Development Technology Canada, known as SDTC. This organization was established to foster innovation and to support sustainable technology, noble goals that Canadians can stand behind. However, under the Liberal government, SDTC became something far different. It is now being referred to as the green slush fund, for a good reason.
Reports have surfaced revealing that over $300 million of taxpayers' money was involved in 180 cases of clear conflicts of interest with SDTC. That is $300 million that could have been invested in communities, health care, education or infrastructure. Instead it was funnelled into ventures in which decision-makers had personal stakes. This is not just a minor oversight; it is a blatant misuse of public funds.
What is more troubling is that Liberal ministers were aware of the conflicts and did nothing to stop them. They allowed the mismanagement to continue unchecked. A senior civil servant even described the situation as “outright incompetence”, pointing out that 123 million dollars' worth of contracts were awarded inappropriately. The Auditor General confirmed that the government's oversight was severely lacking, stating that the industry minister did not sufficiently monitor the contracts being handed out.
This pattern of negligence and favouritism raises serious questions about whom the government is really serving. While Canadians are forced to make hard choices every day to make ends meet, the Liberals seem more interested in enriching their insiders and friends. Imagine what $300 million could have done for our country. It could have funded sustainable projects that genuinely benefited Canadians, created jobs or supported small businesses struggling in these tough times. Instead it was used to line the pockets of a select few.
The green slush fund is not an isolated incident; it is a symptom of a larger problem, a government that has lost touch with the people it is supposed to represent. Canadians are losing faith because they see a lack of integrity and accountability at the highest levels. We need to ask ourselves whether this is acceptable. Should we stand by while public funds are misused and trust is eroded? The answer is a resounding no. It is time for transparency, time for accountability and time for a government that puts Canadians, not the interests of Liberal insiders, first. The green slush fund is a stark reminder that we need change, a change that will restore integrity and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.
Canadians have witnessed a series of scandals that reveal a constant disregard for ethics, transparency and accountability. Consider the WE Charity affair. The government attempted to hand over nearly $1 billion to an organization with close personal ties to the Prime Minister's family. Members of his own family received significant sums in speaking fees from WE Charity. Despite this clear conflict of interest, the Liberals moved forward without proper oversight or transparency. It was only after public outrage and media scrutiny that they reversed course. This was not an innocent mistake; it was a deliberate attempt to channel public funds to people within their inner circle.
Then there is the SNC-Lavalin scandal. The Prime Minister's Office was accused of pressuring the Attorney General to interfere in a criminal prosecution of a well-connected corporation. This led to the resignation of high-ranking officials who refused to compromise their principles. It exposed a government willing to undermine the rule of law to protect their friends.
There is also the millions of dollars awarded in contracts to McKinsey without proper transparency or competitive bidding. At a time when Canadian businesses were struggling and could have benefited from government contracts, the Liberals chose to funnel money to a foreign firm with ties to their own party. This raises serious questions about their commitment to supporting Canadian enterprises and maintaining fair procurement practices.
These incidents are not isolated; they form a clear pattern of behaviour. The Liberals have repeatedly placed the interests of their friends and insiders above those of hard-working Canadians. This series of scandals reveals a government consistently sidetracked by its own ethical failings. Instead of dedicating its full attention to the pressing issues facing our nation, it is repeatedly caught up in controversies of its own making. This not only hampers its ability to govern effectively but also diverts valuable time and resources away from addressing the needs of Canadians.
Canadians deserve leadership that is focused on and unwavering in its commitment to serve the public good. When the government's attention is consumed by managing scandals, then critical issues like health care, economic recovery and national security do not receive the full attention they require. This lack of dedicated focus hinders our progress as a nation and leaves many people feeling neglected and unheard. This is not just about politics; it is about principle. Canadians expect and deserve a government that operates with integrity, is transparent in its actions and is accountable to the people it serves.
The ongoing pattern of Liberal misconduct cannot be ignored or brushed aside. It is our duty to hold the Liberals accountable and to demand better on behalf of all Canadians. When government funds are mismanaged or siphoned off to benefit a select few, it is not just a matter of accounting; it is a direct hit to Canadians from all walks of life. The consequences of the Liberal government's actions are felt in every corner of our country, affecting families, workers and communities that rely on responsible governance to meet their needs.
Consider the challenges Canadians are facing right now. The cost of living is rising, with families struggling to afford basic necessities like groceries, housing and child care. Small businesses, the backbone of our economy, are fighting to keep their doors open amidst economic uncertainty. Our health care system is under strain, with long wait times and limited resources impacting the well-being of our citizens. When hundreds of millions of dollars are misallocated or lost to scandals like the green slush fund, that is money that is not available to address these pressing issues.
Imagine what could be achieved if these funds were managed wisely and directed toward initiatives that empower Canadians. We could implement policies to make housing more affordable, allowing families currently priced out of the market to purchase their own home and build a stable future. In health care, we could enhance patient care and reduce wait times by cutting red tape, improving efficiency and encouraging innovation within the system. By supporting educational choices and opportunities, we could equip our children with the tools they need to succeed in a competitive world. Investing strategically in essential infrastructure, like repairing aging roads and bridges and improving connectivity in rural areas, would bolster our economy and create jobs, all while ensuring responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
These are not complicated ideas. They are real needs that, if met, would significantly improve the quality of life for Canadians across the country.
Moreover, the mismanagement of funds undermines the trust that citizens have in their government. When people see their hard-earned tax dollars being misused, it leads to frustration and disengagement. They begin to question whether their sacrifices are valued and whether their voices are heard.
Seniors on fixed income worry about their pensions and access to health care. Parents wonder whether their children will have the opportunities they had. Young people question whether they can afford to start a family or buy a home. These are the everyday concerns that should be at the forefront of government priorities. Instead we are witnessing a pattern where the interests of Liberal insiders take precedence. This is not just unfair; it is unacceptable.
Canadians deserve a government that puts their needs first. They deserve transparency, accountability and assurance that public funds are being used to benefit the many, not the few. It is time to refocus on issues that matter most to Canadians: affordability, access to quality services and opportunities for a better future. We must commit to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, ensuring that every cent is directed toward making a positive difference in people's lives. That is the standard Canadians expect and the standard they deserve.
I want to take a moment to highlight a heartbreaking event that has deeply affected my community: the devastating wildfire in Jasper. This tragedy was not only the result of natural forces, but was made worse by government inaction and mismanagement, showing how misallocation of resources can have dire consequences. For years, experts warned about the risk of a catastrophic wildfire due to dead wood buildup and pine beetle infestation. Forestry professionals, local officials and residents urged the government to take proactive measures by implementing proper forest management and investing in prevention, yet these pleas were ignored as the Liberal government prioritized political optics over practical action.
However, the mismanagement did not end there. After the wildfire wreaked havoc, destroying a third of Jasper, displacing thousands and claiming the life of a brave firefighter, the government's response has been lacking. Recovery efforts have been slow and underfunded, leaving families without homes and businesses struggling to rebuild. Communities feel abandoned by those meant to serve them. Meanwhile, hundreds of millions of dollars were funnelled into scandals like the green slush fund and over $300 million was lost to conflicts of interest and mismanagement, funds that could have gone toward rebuilding Jasper, providing relief to affected families and restoring vital infrastructure.
It is disheartening that while our community was in crisis, resources that could have offered relief were squandered elsewhere. That is not about politicizing this tragedy. It is about misplaced priorities, a government more focused on its own interests than the urgent needs of its citizens. The people of Jasper are resilient, but should not have to face these challenges alone. They deserve a government that stands with them, providing the support needed to rebuild and recover. Transparency and accountability in allocating public funds are essential, especially when those funds could alleviate suffering.
This tragedy highlights the tangible cost of corruption and negligence, a stark reminder that decisions made in Ottawa have real consequences for communities. We must hold those responsible accountable and ensure that future funds are directed toward protecting and supporting Canadians, not lost to mismanagement. The people of Jasper and all Canadians deserve better. They deserve leadership that prioritizes their well-being and invests in their future. It is time to learn from this tragedy, reassess our priorities and commit to responsible government that serves the interests of all.
Canadians deserve a government that works for them, a government that is transparent, accountable and committed to serving the best interests of all its citizens. It is clear that the current direction is not meeting those expectations. We need to restore trust in our institutions and ensure that public funds are managed responsibly. That means ending the culture of mismanagement and entitlement. It means implementing proper oversight, enforcing ethical standards and holding those in power accountable for their actions.
Conservatives are committed to putting Canadians first. We will prioritize the needs of everyday people and not insiders with special interests. We will invest in our communities, support small businesses and ensure that essential services are adequately funded. We will take decisive action to protect our environment and prevent tragedies like the Jasper wildfire. Proper forest management and disaster preparedness will be top priorities, guided by expert advice and community involvement.
It is time for a change that brings common sense back to government, respects taxpayers and focuses on building a brighter future for all Canadians. Together, we can rebuild trust, restore integrity and move forward toward a Canada where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
