House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 45% of the vote.
Office of the Prime Minister November 3rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Wright has sought and followed all of the advice of the independent Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. He will continue to do that. He will respect all the rules that apply to ministerial staff and recuse himself when necessary.
We should be celebrating that someone successful in the private sector is prepared to put aside a career and come to Ottawa to make a contribution to Canada. Is that not good?
Office of the Prime Minister November 2nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we are very pleased and very supportive of people from outside of government coming in to make a contribution. Mr. Wright is to be congratulated for wanting to make a contribution to public life. He has sought the counsel and advice of the Ethics Commissioner, the independent Ethics Commissioner. He has followed all of the rules and will continue to seek out and to follow all of the guidelines that the independent Ethics Commissioner sets.
With respect to deadlines for departure, I know there is one departure we are seeking to make and it is the member for Malpeque, and that will be 37 days after the next election is called.
Office of the Prime Minister November 2nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the member for Malpeque is already planning the departure of the incoming chief of staff before he has even started work.
We on this side of the House think it is good that people who have been successful in private life want to come to our nation's capital and make a contribution to public life and to their government.
Mr. Wright has sought and has followed all of the high, stringent ethical guidelines from the independent ethics officer, who reports not to the government, but rather, through you, Mr. Speaker, to all members of this place.
Public Works and Government Services November 2nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I will do no such thing.
Let us look at the facts. The Bloc Québécois member of Parliament for Brome—Missisquoi is openly promoting Réseau de Résistance du Québecois on his blog. Members of the House will know what the manifesto of the RRQ says. The RRQ aims to support the combatants of the Front de libération du Québec.
I really want to know how the Liberal Party of Canada could possibly join in a coalition government with people who want to promote the record of the FLQ.
Public Works and Government Services November 2nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, that is not the case at all, but I have news for my Bloc colleagues. The member for Brome—Missisquoi openly promotes the Réseau de résistance du Québécois in his blog. Members of this House know very well that the RRQ manifesto says that the RRQ will also rehabilitate the combatants of the Front de libération du Québec. I have a simple question for my Bloc colleagues: do they plan on rehabilitating FLQ murderers?
Potash Industry November 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the government will not take a partisan approach. It will not take a political approach.
What we will do is follow our responsibilities under the Investment Canada Act. What we will do is only approve the deal if it is of net benefit to Canada, and that is the bottom line.
Potash Industry November 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, if the member opposite had his way, there would be no foreign investment in Canada whatsoever.
This government has shown in the past that we have not been afraid to do the right thing. This government has in the past always stood up for Canada.
I want to tell the House that Canadians can count on two things: one, they can count on the Minister of Industry to do the right thing; and two, they can count on the 13 strong members of the government caucus from Saskatchewan. They fight each and every day for Saskatchewan. They have done so in the past and they will always accept that important responsibility.
Potash Industry November 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Industry has important responsibilities under the Investment Canada Act. He will exercise those responsibilities wisely and well.
We believe these types of transactions should only be approved if they demonstrate a net benefit to Canada, and the people of Canada can count on this government and the Minister of Industry to do the right thing.
Potash Industry November 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, let me tell the member for Wascana that the Minister of Industry will only approve a deal if it is of net benefit to Canada.
The Minister of Industry and the government will always stand up and do the right thing, and the hon. member can be confident of that.
Potash Industry November 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, let me tell this to the House. I know both the Minister of Industry and the Prime Minister have talked to the Premier of Saskatchewan. They also regularly hear strongly and loudly from 13 strong Saskatchewan members of Parliament on the government side.
The government will stand up and do the right thing, just as we do each and every day, but let me talk about another time. For 13 long years when 11,000 takeovers took place, how many did the previous Liberal government cancel? None, not one.