John Baird

[Access to Information, May 2nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I noticed in the Hansard of November 15, not even seven short months ago, that it says in the nays: Lapierre (Outremont).

That is quite clear.

[Access to Information, May 2nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, again, it is quite interesting that this is one of the members opposite who voted against including crown corporations. This is one of the members who voted against including officers of Parliament. This is one of the members who voted against putting some access to information law to shed some light on the billion dollar foundations created by the previous government.

We hope he and his party will give speedy passage to these important pieces of legislation.

[Access to Information, May 2nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, it is very interesting to have this hon. member as the Leader of the Opposition. Last November, just seven months ago, he voted against all the known access to information measures contained in our bill. On May 5, this hon. member and all the members of the Liberal Party voted against the opening of this new cooperation agency. I say we will continue to work with the Commissioner to ensure that the bill which has been tabled is the best for accountability in Canada.

[Access to Information, May 2nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition should also be aware that not only did the Prime Minister meet with the Information Commissioner before tabling the federal accountability act in Parliament, I met with him. The very hard working parliamentary secretary from Nepean--Carleton met with him.

His advice certainly meant our bill was stronger. He also said in The Ottawa Citizen that our proposals were more radical than any of the ones that he proposed.

[Correctional Officers, May 1st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I can tell my hon. colleague from Quebec that since being appointed President of the Treasury Board, I have met twice with the union leaders. I have also spoken with them twice on the phone.

The other Treasury Board officials are working very hard. Under the Liberals, we waited more than four years for an agreement with this union. We know that these employees do very important and very dangerous work. We will continue to work toward a real solution that is good for both the taxpayers and the employees.

[Public Service of Canada, April 28th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I can indicate to my friend from Ottawa that this government values the role of the public service.

Rumours and mischief and fearmongering have gone on with respect to the public service. Our budget will be tabled in this place on May 2 and I think public servants will welcome it, as will all Canadians. It will be a real change for Canada. It will allow Canadians to keep more of their hard-earned tax dollars, and that will be welcomed by all Canadians, especially our public servants.

[Public Service of Canada, April 28th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I can indicate to the member opposite that the government will ensure that a respectful, productive relationship for public servants on both sides of the river is maintained. Morale has been quite low. We look forward to a productive relationship. I would encourage the member opposite to not believe any mischievous statements that might lead to some fearmongering.

The government wants a strong, vibrant public service to help deliver good programs to the people of Canada.

[Aboriginal Affairs, April 28th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the government did not want to establish a two tier process for the Auditor General. We believe that the Auditor General has been a real hero to the Canadian taxpayer and all Canadians. We want to give her the discretionary power to follow the money. I think all Canadians, including aboriginal Canadians, will welcome this initiative.

[Aboriginal Affairs, April 28th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the member opposite that before the decision was taken to include first nations in our federal accountability act, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to Chief Fontaine. He asked for a meeting and one was granted within 24 hours.

[Public Service, April 27th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the government is committed to a constructive relationship with the public service, whose morale was very low after 13 long years of the blame game attributed to Liberal members and to the previous cabinet.

Let us look at what the head of the Public Service Alliance of Canada had to say about the government: “[The minister] has proven he is willing to work with the PSAC and he has taken the time and gone around to meet with different unions and meet with members. That is a good sign”.

What did he say when the Liberal fearmongering began? He said that he is “apt to believe Baird”.