Mr. Speaker, the exercise we have been engaged in during the last week in the House after my statement in response to the original allegations has been political theatre, and I am not prepared to play.
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Solicitor General Of Canada October 9th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the exercise we have been engaged in during the last week in the House after my statement in response to the original allegations has been political theatre, and I am not prepared to play.
Solicitor General Of Canada October 9th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, my answer is very clear and very categorical. The fact remains that the internal operations of the RCMP are the purview of the RCMP. I would not involve myself. I would not know about it.
The rest of the conversation, beyond the allegations to which I have responded, is a private conversation.
Solicitor General Of Canada October 9th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, as I said, I would never discuss an RCMP investigation under any circumstances. I am not involved in them. It is the purview of the RCMP.
The allegations that were made this week were by the member for Palliser. I responded to those allegations. I was supported by the person who sat beside me on the aircraft. I stand by my statement.
Solicitor General Of Canada October 9th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, as I said categorically, and I will say it again, information that is acquired in an operational exercise by the RCMP or any agency is not information that I am privy to. It is not information that I am involved with. I would not know it. If I did know it I would not talk about it.
Solicitor General Of Canada October 9th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the operational activities of the RCMP are clearly under the purview of the RCMP. I do not involve myself in those operations. I would not know about those operations. I would not discuss those operations.
The allegations that were made earlier this week, I responded to those. My response has been supported. The rest of that conversation was a private conversation between myself and another Canadian citizen.
Apec Summit October 8th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I never suggested that he made it up. He just got it wrong.
Apec Summit October 8th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I believe profoundly in fundamental justice. I think it is being convoluted in this place to impugn my integrity. In the name of my integrity, I remain the Solicitor General of Canada.
Apec Summit October 8th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, no.
Apec Summit October 8th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, unlike my hon. colleague from Palliser, I would never question someone's honesty. I am simply questioning the accuracy of his hearing.
Apec Summit October 8th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, serious allegations were made. I stood in the House. I responded to those allegations. They were inaccurate. I established that the gentleman whom I was speaking with substantiated that those allegations were inaccurate.
I do not feel any obligation to discuss a private conversation that has nothing inappropriate with regard to my job, that was overheard on an aircraft by an eavesdropper.