James Moore

[Library and Archives Canada, June 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, that is not exactly the case.

As the hon. member must know, the former head of Library and Archives Canada, Daniel Caron, resigned. Someone is currently filing the position on an interim basis. A new head librarian and archivist will likely be selected this fall, and we will examine this policy more closely.

The hon. member's information is not quite accurate. We are going to examine these policies and other hot issues that are very important to all Canadians in order to protect Canada's heritage.

[Ethics, June 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, one thing I do know is that there will not be any Conservative members of Parliament who, unlike the member for Winnipeg Centre, will be defending lawsuits for libel this summer.

What we will be talking about this summer is, indeed, our government's record of delivering for Canadians. In fact, it was announced last week by Statistics Canada that the Canadian economy has created over a million new jobs. In fact, Canada has the best jobs numbers in the G7 and the lowest taxes in 50 years. We will be proud to stand on our record all summer.

[Ethics, June 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as we already know, Mr. Wright resigned, clearly stating that he acted in a way that was not in keeping with the Prime Minister's guidelines and that senators should be held personally accountable for what they choose to do with taxpayers' money. That is why he resigned. He alone made that decision.

[Ethics, June 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, the Auditor General will look at the file as well as all of the documents.

In addition, as I just said to the hon. member for Timmins—James Bay, we do not have access to Mr. Wright's personal cheque.

[Ethics, June 11th, 2013]

It was the purpose of his question. He raised the issue of appointments, who makes appointments, and what it says about their judgment. What does it say about the judgment of the NDP leader, who appointed as his revenue critic somebody who owes tens of thousands of dollars in taxes?

[Ethics, June 11th, 2013]

Indeed, Mr. Speaker, that question has, in fact, been answered, but a question that has not been answered, while the member for Timmins—James Bay raises—

[Ethics, June 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as I have just finished saying to the Liberal leader, the Ethics Commissioner, the RCMP and the Auditor General are looking into this matter.

Of course all documents that should be examined will be brought forward, but the member opposite should know that we do not have access to a personal cheque by Nigel Wright.

This process will go forward, and all the information will come out.

[Ethics, June 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague knows very well that a process with the Auditor General is already under way. Furthermore, the Ethics Commissioner will examine all of these issues and documents.

If the Liberal leader does want to again show transparency and the importance of transparency, perhaps the Liberal leader could tell Canadians if he indeed claimed MP expenses and MP travel when he took money from charities when travelling to their events?

[Ethics, June 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I see the Liberal leader has changed his position on Senator Mac Harb, and he is doing it right here in the House of Commons.

I wonder what his position is now of Senator Pana Merchant. Senator Merchant has $1.7 million that she is hiding from having to pay taxes.

If Mac Harb is in or out, and he has changed his position on that, would the Liberal leader now very clearly say that hiding her obligation from taxpayers is acceptable behaviour from a millionaire Liberal senator? Is that behaviour acceptable to the Liberal leader?

[Ethics, June 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, indeed the Prime Minister has answered these questions and has been forthright.

We do wish that all senators would pay for their expenses and not do inappropriate billing, as has clearly been the case. Not only has it been the case, as has been exposed widely, but it is also the case for Liberal Senator Mac Harb.

While the Liberal leader is here in the House of Commons, it would be great if he could explain to Canadian taxpayers why he thinks it would be a great idea for the Liberal senator from Ottawa Centre, who claimed $50,000 in illegal money to come back to him for the costs of living in Ottawa Centre to be a senator.

He thinks it is perfectly fine for him to make those expenses and ask taxpayers to pay that money, and he thinks it is perfectly okay for him to continue in the Senate.

If he believes in accountability, perhaps he could—