House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 43% of the vote.
Justice May 7th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, the prosecution in question is being handled by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, which operates independently from the Department of Justice and independently from my office.
Counsel to the Attorney General of Canada has been fulfilling all of its obligations before the court with respect to third party records applications. When counsel is needed, those decisions are made according to the rules and regulations in the justice department.
Government Appointments May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, all Canadians, including lawyers, have the right to make donations under the Canadian system. Once again, the system is transparent. What is more, they have to fulfill their obligations to the system. It is a transparent process that all Canadians have the right to participate in. With regard to appointments, donations do not put candidates for the judiciary at an advantage or a disadvantage.
Government Appointments May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, my answer has not changed. After taking office, we implemented a transparent, merit-based judicial appointment process. We have since appointed over 300 judges of the very highest calibre, half of whom are women. As a group, they represent this country's diversity. We are very proud of our record on this.
Ethics May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, as I have stated, we have put together a transparent, merit-based process that is highly rigorous. These appointments, which were made by both my predecessor and me, have resulted in over 300 appointments of the very highest calibre. Of those appointments, 55% are women. They are better representing the diversity of Canada. We know we still have a way to go, but this is an outstanding crop of appointees, who have been appointed only based on merit.
Ethics May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, we have set up a process for the appointment of judges which is transparent, merit-based and rigorous, beginning from the applications being treated by judicial committees across Canada all the way through the rest of the process.
Canadians have a right to donate to political parties. This fact neither helps nor hinders any applicant. The applications are based solely on merit. We have appointed over 300 judges, and their quality is of the very highest calibre.
Justice May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, once again, quite simply, the government is meeting all of its obligations with respect to third party obligations. The government is following all rules with respect to applications for the support of counsel.
Justice May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, once again, I can assure this House that all rules are being followed in this case. All demands for legal assistance are being undertaken according to the rules. All requests for documents under third party records applications are being met by my department.
This prosecution is being handled by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. It is independent of my office and our government, and there has been no interference.
Justice May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, the government is fulfilling its obligations to the court and to the trial by providing the required documents during the process. All our obligations have been fulfilled.
Justice May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, as I said many times, the prosecution in question is being handled by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, which operates independently from my department and our government.
Counsel for the Attorney General of Canada is fulfilling all of its obligations to the court with respect to third party records applications.
Justice May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, once again, I can assure the hon. member, this House and all Canadians that the Public Prosecution Service is an independent service in Canada. It is managing the prosecution of this case. We do not interfere with such prosecutions as a government.
The ministry of the Attorney General is in fact fulfilling all of its obligations with respect to documents made under third party applications.