John Baird

[Ethics, May 22nd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the Leader of the Opposition, for that question.

What I did say yesterday was, and I quote: “Furthermore, this matter has been referred to two independent bodies for review”, which is nothing like what he just said.

[Ethics, May 21st, 2013]

Let me see what time it is, Mr. Speaker.

The Prime Minister did say in this House with respect to Senator Wallin that the Senator's expenses were in line with other parliamentarians from Saskatchewan.

The Senate has referred her expenses for review, and we look forward to receiving the results of that review.

[Ethics, May 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has been very clear. It is a tremendous honour to serve as a parliamentarian, and each and every person who is given that privilege, that responsibility, should be standing up for the public interest and not their own private interests. If they want to do that, they should be out the door.

That is the view of this party, that is the view of this government and that is the view of this Prime Minister.

[Ethics, May 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the caucus of the House leader of the official opposition has made two referrals to two independent bodies. That is the answer.

[Ethics, May 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, that is a bunch of wild accusations and conclusions from the member for Wascana. I am not surprised. This is not the first time.

Let me say this. There are two independent bodies reviewing this matter. Let them conduct that review. We look forward to hearing the findings of that review.

[Ethics, May 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it will not come as any surprise that I reject much of the preamble of the question the member opposite raises.

Let me say this. A committee in the other place that was looking into this brought in some outside auditors. The conclusion of that report was that these claims never should have been made.

No one in the government, certainly no one in this place, rejects that conclusion. I understand that in the report it was mentioned that these expenses had been reimbursed, as is what had happened.

[Ethics, May 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is very clear from the committee's report that the committee concludes that these expenses should not have been claimed. No one on the committee disputes that. No one in the government disputes that. That, in our judgment, is a fact.

The reality is, and I understand this report did reflect, that a reimbursement was made. This issue has been referred to two independent bodies. Let us await their findings.

[Ethics, May 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, how could the Prime Minister have expectations on a reimbursement that he was not aware of until it became public? It is just that simple.

The Prime Minister was not aware of the payment, as I have said. The member opposite talks of some legal document I am not aware of. My understanding is that no such document exists.

[Ethics, May 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister was not aware of this reimbursement until after it became public through media reports.

This issue is already before two independent officers to review the situation. Let us give them the time to do that. We look forward to the outcome of those reviews.

[Ethics, May 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister was not aware of this reimbursement until after it became public through media reports. I cannot make it any clearer.

This morning the Prime Minister spoke to Canadians and to some parliamentarians and was very clear. People who come to government should have the public interest first and foremost as their priority, and those who want to advance their private interests will be shown the door, as they properly should.