John Baird

[Maternal and Child Health, May 4th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, it is self-evident that view does not represent the view of the government. It is self-evident that is unacceptable.

Let me tell members what is equally unacceptable. It is the culture war the Liberal Party wants to impose on Canadians, to seek to divide rather than to unite. The priority of the Prime Minister, the priority of the government as we enter the G8 summit and the G20 summit, is to promote maternal health and the health of newborns. That is an admirable goal. It is one all Canadians can get behind.

[Maternal and Child Health, May 4th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, obviously that type of language is completely unacceptable.

Let me tell members this. Canadians do not want to drag the abortion debate into the maternal and health discussions.

This government and the Prime Minister are focused on how to make a positive difference in the lives of mothers and newborn children in the developing world. We want to find ways that unite Canadians, not divide them. This is an excellent initiative for Canada to provide a meaningful role on the world stage.

[Ethics, May 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Simcoe—Grey will be pleased to learn she has a friend over in the NDP.

This is what happened. Serious allegations were made to the Prime Minister about a member of the government. The Prime Minister did not have the context to know whether they were true or untrue, but they were serious enough that he did the right thing. He turned the entire matter over to an independent authority, so it could make a determination whether an investigation was warranted. It could investigate the matter and ensure that the rule of law was followed in this country.

Let me remind members that none of the issues in question that the Prime Minister referred to the independent authority had anything to do with the conduct of government business.

[Ethics, May 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, that question from the deputy leader of the NDP is quite outrageous.

Serious allegations were brought forward about a member of cabinet. The Prime Minister did the right thing. He did the ethical thing. He turned the whole matter over to an independent authority.

We have a tough regime for lobbyists in this country. Each and every Canadian is required to follow that act. If the member opposite has any allegations, or any evidence, he would like to make, he should follow the high ethical standards of the Prime Minister and forward it to the independent Commissioner of Lobbying.

[Oil Industry, May 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, this government has tough environmental laws to protect our air, our soil and our water. We have a special responsibility to protect those pristine ecologically sensitive parts of our country.

Let me be very clear. This government will make no effort that would compromise our environment. We will take every reasonable measure to ensure the environment is protected in this great country.

[Oil Industry, May 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. Our government, our country, has strict laws and regulations to protect the environment. What is happening in the United States is completely unacceptable. We will maintain strict laws to protect Canada's north. Our government has done a great deal in that region and will continue to do so.

[Ethics, May 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, we are only having this type of detailed discussion on the floor of the House of Commons with respect to these types of contacts because this government did the honest, ethical and transparent thing and made all these documents public.

Let me tell the House something else we did. We also referred this matter to an independent authority. We have a lot of confidence that that authority will do its business and will ensure that the strong laws on lobbying that were adopted by this Parliament are fully implemented and that anyone who broke the law is held fully accountable.

[Ethics, May 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, let me be clear for the member opposite.

Canadians can see the difference between this Conservative government and the unethical conduct of the previous Liberal government. When emails and the like came to the attention of this government, what did it do? It immediately forwarded them to the relevant independent authority.

When lobbyists contacted the previous Liberal government what did they get? Bags of cash.

[Ethics, May 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of talk about the Lobbyists Registration Act. This government, as a matter of its first course of business, strengthened that act.

The government is receiving all kinds of advice. Some are suggesting we include all members of Parliament and senators in that act. Some people are even suggesting that we include the office of the Leader of the Opposition in that act.

Let me assure the House that we will be sure to keep all of those ideas in mind as we reflect on this.

[Ethics, May 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, my parliamentary secretary is the member for Fort McMurray—Athabasca. I think everyone knows that. I think the member opposite knows that.

Let me be very clear. The ministers in our system of government are ultimately accountable at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day. That is certainly the case with respect to infrastructure projects in my department.