Lost his last election, in 2006, with 35% of the vote.
Member for Newton—North Delta June 1st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the issue is that I see the hon. member as picking and choosing different parts of a tape, not all of which have been released.
The member for Newton—North Delta has four hours of taped conversations and has released less than two. If there is any credibility in question with respect to what has happened, I think the member would have to speak to the member for Newton—North Delta. The Prime Minister has been very clear on this.
Member for Newton—North Delta June 1st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I think the Prime Minister has been very clear. The Prime Minister gave his chief of staff one instruction: not to provide any offers. The member for Newton—North Delta said that he had four hours of taped conservations. He has released less than two of those. Is it any wonder that his credibility is being called into question?
I guess the real question is why so many members across the way want to leave the Conservative Party.
Member for Newton—North Delta June 1st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister gave his chief of staff an instruction and that was not to make any offers. That instruction was followed.
Mr. Kalia, a friend of the member for Newton—North Delta, confirmed that in his statement yesterday, “they said they cannot offer anything.
Frankly, there are serious questions being raised about the accuracy of the tapes and the transcripts. Let us be clear that if there is any credibility on this particular issue it lies solely with the member for Newton—North Delta.
Member for Newton—North Delta June 1st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister gave his chief of staff one instruction, not to make any offers, and that was the case.
The Prime Minister has been very clear about this. He was aware that his office had been approached and that the member wanted to cross the floor. The member of Parliament did not cross the floor and there was no meeting set up with the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister May 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, again I repeat that there were no offers made. The hon. member has insinuated that there was an offer made. The Prime Minister has made it very clear that there would be no deals offered and there were no deals offered. In fact, it was the member for Newton—North Delta who approached the government about crossing the floor.
While the transcripts have been posted on someone's website at this point, we should see if these tapes are also going to be authenticated.
Prime Minister May 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, again, we are hearing allegations from the opposite side. The Prime Minister has said that he was informed that the member for Newton—North Delta approached his office about crossing the floor. He made it very clear that there would be no deals offered. There was no deal offered.
I do not understand why there is a continued line of questioning. This has been answered and if the hon. member does have information that is pertinent to this, I would suggest that he turn that over to the RCMP if he believes that there has been any wrongdoing.
Member for Newton—North Delta May 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, again, the hon. member is making accusations. I understand that the transcripts have now been made public. I do not understand why it took so long for the official opposition to make them available.
Nonetheless, as the Prime Minister has said, there was no offer and no deals made. In fact, it was the member for Newton—North Delta who approached the government. The Prime Minister has made it very clear that we in no way look to entice anyone to join this party.
Member for Newton—North Delta May 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has said that he was in fact informed that the member for Newton—North Delta approached his office about crossing the floor. He also said that he was very clear that there would be no deals offered.
The hon. member was making an accusation that there has been some type of criminal intent here. Certainly, the RCMP, as an independent body, determines what it will investigate and based on what evidence.
If the hon. member has any information that would suggest that an investigation is merited, I would suggest that he provide that information. In fact, he has an obligation to provide that information.
Member for Newton—North Delta May 30th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding with respect to this particular issue that a complaint has been laid and that the Ethics Commissioner himself is currently considering whether he has jurisdiction to entertain such a complaint, and secondly, that any allegation against a member of the House of Commons is to be considered under the conflict of interest code for members of the House of Commons.
The House code is administered by the Ethics Commissioner. I would suggest that the Ethics Commissioner alone will determine if in fact this particular matter falls under and within the jurisdiction of the House code.
The Budget May 20th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, we stand steadfast in our position that we would like to get the budget bills out of the House of Commons before the end of this session. The Senate has affirmed that it will continue to do its work, although I cannot speak for the Senate. It will work toward royal assent.
However, our commitment as a government is to ensure that both the bills receive approval in the House of Commons so that before the end of this session, they will be in the Senate.