John Baird

[Ethics, April 19th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, we have been actively engaged in the green fund. It is doing a lot of great things for Canadians from coast to coast to coast. We just recently announced $100 million to bring clean water to Hamilton, which is part of a $300 million project. We are making major investments in Yukon to help the environment and major investments in northwestern British Columbia.

I am involved in every step of the way. No project was either recommended or approved in this regard. That is the high standard of ethics from this government and this Prime Minister.

[Ethics, April 19th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, once again, our colleague in the Liberal Party is undertaking a fishing expedition.

If he has any allegations with respect to any inappropriate contact, he should forward them to the relevant authority, to the independent lobbying commissioner that this House established, that this Prime Minister established.

If he has allegations about the misappropriation or misuse of funds in a member of Parliament's office, he should speak to the chairman of the Board of Internal Economy, and in fact, Mr. Speaker, that would be you.

[Ethics, April 19th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, if the member opposite has any allegations he would like to make and any evidence he would like to put forward with respect to the Lobbyists Registration Act, and the very first thing that this government did upon taking office was bring in an independent Commissioner of Lobbying, he should forward the matter to the independent commissioner, who works for this House, not this government.

That is the high ethical standard that this Prime Minister has always followed.

[Ethics, April 19th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, when serious allegations arose about a former member of his ministry, did the ethical thing. He did the right thing. He did not accept the information. He referred the entire matter to an independent authority so that it could make a determination of what to do with it.

That showed a high ethical standard. The Prime Minister did the right thing.

[Ethics, April 19th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, we can look at the Prime Minister's judgment. Look at what he did upon first taking office. He immediately brought in the Federal Accountability Act, the toughest anti-corruption legislation in Canadian history.

Time and time and time again, the Liberal Party violated the public trust. It had to write cheques back to the taxpayers for millions of dollars because it was stolen money.

The Prime Minister has banned big money in politics. The Prime Minister has brought a significant increase in ethical standards to Parliament, and 10 days ago, the Prime Minister did the right thing once again.

[Ethics, April 19th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, some 10 days ago serious allegations were brought to the Prime Minister's attention, and I should be very clear that these allegations had nothing to do with government business. He did the right thing. He referred the matter to the relevant authorities and we will leave it in their capable hands.

[Questions on the Order paper, April 16th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the response is as follows: a)The Greater Toronto Airports Authority governs financial and operational management of Pearson International Airport. Questions concerning congestion at Pearson International Airport should be directed towards the airports authority as these questions pertain to its lines of business.

b) Questions regarding the Greater Toronto Airports Authority’s plans to expand its infrastructure should be directed towards the airports authority. The Government of Canada does not plan to fund airport infrastructure expansions to deal with congestion at Pearson International Airport.

c) The following is a list of the fiscal year rent collected (including the impact of rent deferrals/repayments) from the Greater Toronto Airports Authority: 2005/06 - $140,206,000; 2006/07 - $152,794,000; 2007/08 - $151,276,000; 2008/09 - $144,974,000; 2009/10 - $142,811,000 (forecast); Total Rent - $732,061,000.

d) Questions about general Government land acquisitions should be directed to Public Works and Government Services Canada. With regards to Pearson International Airport, the Government of Canada does not plan to pursue any land acquisitions.

[Canada Post, April 16th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, we support the important role that Canada Post plays in Canada not just for individuals and families, but also for Canadian businesses and the Canadian economy. We certainly have no intention to deregulate that one now.

[Ethics, April 16th, 2010]

Big Daddy G, Mr. Speaker? This coming from Big Daddy E? That is quite outrageous.

I suspect like most members of this place and the member for Malpeque, I had never heard of this individual until last week. Serious allegations were brought to the Prime Minister's attention and what did he do? He immediately referred the matter to the competent authorities. That demonstrates a high ethical standard. That is the right thing to do. The Prime Minister did the right thing.

[Ethics, April 16th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I am not going to dignify some of the outrageous comments made by the member for Don Valley East.

Here are the facts. Serious allegations were brought to the Prime Minister's attention. Within a matter of hours, he referred the matter to the relevant authorities, so that they could make a determination. He acted ethically. He acted expeditiously. The Prime Minister did the right thing.