Mr. Speaker, national security should be the responsibility and the priority of every single member of the House.
We have seen over the last number of months and years the alarming rate with which foreign governments have sought to interfere with the democratic processes in our country and to damage our democracy. Every single one of us in the House bears a responsibility and obligation to ensure that we are well prepared and well-informed in the face of these threats. Canadians know that our leaders having a security clearance is table stakes, but apparently not the Leader of the Opposition.
I know first-hand that the top secret clearance process is detailed and precise. It is something that gives our national security agencies absolute confidence in our integrity and our ability to be trusted with sensible and sensitive information. I simply cannot understand why the Leader of the Opposition refuses to get his security clearance.
As the Prime Minister said yesterday, if he cares about our country and he cares about Canadians, he will get the clearance, take the briefing and protect the country. Why will he not?