John Baird

[Political Financing, March 4th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the minister has apologized. He has accepted the resignation of his staffer. I wonder whether we will see the same from the Liberal Party.

The Liberal member for Charlottetown appears to be using his constituency office in Charlottetown to run the Liberals' re-election campaign in that vulnerable riding.

I have information about the meeting to nominate his successor as the Liberal candidate. Where does one call to get information about the Liberal nomination meeting, to get a membership or to hear the member for Kings—Hants as the guest speaker? One contacts the office of the Liberal member for Charlottetown and his taxpayer-supported office is the address cited. When--

[Political Financing, March 4th, 2011]

As was said before, Mr. Speaker, this is a serious matter and obviously unacceptable.

The minister gave the instruction to have the riding association contacted, but as is always the case in these matters, he fully expected that this would be done, but not with parliamentary resources.

[Political Financing, March 4th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, let us talk about the facts. The facts are that the NDP member for Edmonton—Strathcona knows she cannot beat Ryan Hastman and she is trying to cheat to keep her seat. She should apologize and then she should demand this staffer resign.

[Political Financing, March 4th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I believe the minister has done the right thing. He accepted the resignation of his staff member. Let us see if New Democrats will live up to that same standard.

I have in my hand an email from the NDP member for Edmonton—Strathcona's office where she is seeking to have a federal election. It states:

--a federal election called in the next month or two. Help your Edmonton NDP candidates get ready! Re-elect the NDP member for Edmonton—Strathcona and for details on how to work on the campaign, you can contact Erica Bullwinkle at [e-mail].

The Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism has done the right thing. Will the NDP member for Edmonton—Strathcona follow—

[Political Financing, March 4th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the use of parliamentary resources for partisan political purposes is completely wrong and completely unacceptable. The employee in question has offered the minister his resignation. The minister has done the right thing and accepted it. The minister has assumed responsibility for these actions. He has apologized for his former employee's actions and believes they were unacceptable.

[Political Financing, March 4th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the case cited in example by the House leader of the Bloc Québécois is totally unacceptable. The minister took responsibility for the actions of his assistant and immediately accepted his resignation. He apologized for the actions of his employees. He did the right thing.

Let me be clear: this Minister of Immigration is one of the best ministers of immigration. He is one of the best ministers in cabinet. He is doing a good job for new Canadians and for all Canadians in every province.

[Political Financing, March 4th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, this is truly a very serious matter. This practice is absolutely unacceptable. The minister's assistant tendered his resignation to the minister and the minister did the right thing by accepting it.

[Freezing Assets of Corrupt Regimes Act, March 3rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I believe you would find unanimous consent of the House for the following motion. I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of the House, Bill C-61, An Act to provide for the taking of restrictive measures in respect of the property of officials and former officials of foreign states and of their family members be deemed to have been read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

[Business of Supply, March 3rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to designate Tuesday, March 8 and Thursday, March 10 as allotted days.

[Points of Order, March 3rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the interventions and discussions with my colleagues. At this time I would like to withdraw the question. There will be further discussions with the parties.