John Baird

[Access to Information, May 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the reason we are having this debate in the House of Commons is that this government has handed over all information to the lobbying commissioner and the parliamentary committee. That is true transparency.

We received allegations about the former minister and the Prime Minister did his part by providing the information to independent authorities. If the Bloc member has information, she should follow the government's good example.

[Ethics, May 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite does stretch it to its limits.

Let me be very clear. This government established a tough Lobbying Act. We established a tough regime for lobbying. We did so because of the sorry and poor ethics that lobbyists exercised under the previous Liberal government.

We have an independent commissioner of lobbying. If the member opposite has any evidence or any allegations, she should follow the high ethical standard personally demonstrated by the Prime Minister and forward those on to the independent authority.

[Ethics, May 3rd, 2010]

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

All lobbyists, all Canadians who lobby, are expected to follow the Lobbyist Registration Act.

This government, as a matter of its first point of business when the House reconvened after the 2006 election, brought in an independent commissioner of lobbying, someone who does not report to a minister, someone who does not report to government, but rather reports to the House.

If the member opposite has any allegations or any evidence, she should follow the example of the Prime Minister and forward it on to the relevant authority. That is what she should do.

[Ethics, May 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, let us contrast the actions of this government with the previous Liberal government.

Mr. Jaffer got no government grants, no money, as a result of any of the meetings in question.

Let us compare that to the Liberals when literally millions of dollars went missing in the sponsorship scandal. We have only got $1 million back. Canadians want the extra $39 million that is still missing.

[Ethics, May 3rd, 2010]

Let me be very clear, Mr. Speaker. The Lobbyist Registration Act is an important piece of legislation. The Lobbyist Registration Act is a lot stronger and tougher because of the actions of this government and this Prime Minister. One of the first actions we took upon taking office was to strengthen that office. Everyone, all Canadians, is expected to follow the act.

If the member opposite has any allegations to make, he should follow the example of the Prime Minister and make those allegations to the office of the independent Ethics Commissioner that this government established.

[Airline Industry, April 30th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I understand that I have a meeting to discuss this important issue with the member in the next few hours.

I can tell the member that airline passenger rights is tremendously important, as is the airline industry. I understand that he presented a bill to Parliament that has been defeated in committee.

I certainly look forward to the opportunity to discuss this important issue with the member.

[Ethics, April 30th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the green fund, which I am privileged to oversee, has not given out any loans. What we are doing with the green fund is we are spending $100 million in Hamilton so it can stop dumping raw sewage into Lake Ontario. That is welcome.

We are building new hydroelectricity transmission lines in northwest British Columbia so we can get dirty diesel off the grid. That is also going to facilitate economic development for people who really need it.

We are also working in Yukon with the territorial government on a clean transmission line. Step by step we are really delivering for the environment and that is the whole purpose of the green fund.

[Ethics, April 30th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise and answer the question from my friend from Winnipeg Centre.

That question is a perfect example why the member for Winnipeg Centre was recently named by The Hill Times as the most quotable member of Parliament. I want to congratulate him on that.

However, let me be clear, we brought in the toughest lobbyist registration and lobbying reforms in Canadian history. Every Canadian is expected to obey the law and to follow the law.

We have an independent Commissioner of Lobbying who will conduct a review of this matter and make her own determinations as to the facts.

[Ethics, April 30th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Hull—Aylmer is making some very serious allegations. If he has any evidence, I encourage him to hand it over to the commissioner of lobbying, who is an independent commissioner. If he has any serious allegations, I encourage him to forward them to the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and the RCMP.

[Ethics, April 30th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, there were such priorities and such pressure that no money was given to any of these projects. That is the amazing thing. Canadians at home can see the difference. No money was given to any of these projects, but when Liberals were in power, literally millions and millions of dollars went missing.

The Liberal Party got kickbacks. The Liberal Party was so embarrassed by this that it actually wrote a cheque for more than $1 million to the taxpayers. That is $1 million down and $39 million to go. I ask my friend to stand right now and tell us where the $39 million is. Canadians want their money.