House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 50% of the vote.
Ethics November 1st, 2017
Mr. Speaker, we will continue to do just that. In 2013, the Liberal Party brought openness and proactive disclosure to Parliament. I must admit that it was surprising when the Conservatives immediately got on board and the New Democrats were the ones who were not interested in proactive disclosure. Given the situation with the satellite offices, we now see why, and we understand their approach to ethics.
Ethics November 1st, 2017
Mr. Speaker, we continue to demonstrate the openness and transparency that Canadians asked for two years ago. We will continue to have an open government that is directly accountable to Canadians. As I do every Wednesday, I will answer all of the questions I am asked.
We have often shown how well we understand that a government must maintain the confidence of Canadians in order to function properly.
Ethics November 1st, 2017
Mr. Speaker, this government has always chosen to raise the bar on openness and transparency, and has continually worked with and respected the commissioners, whether they be the Ethics Commissioner, the Information Commissioner, or the Privacy Commissioner. That is part of what Canadians asked us to do when they chose us as government two years ago, after 10 years of a government that had completely disrespected the institutions that protect our democracy. That is what we continue to focus on while we focus on the concerns and the issues that matter to Canadians.
Ethics November 1st, 2017
Mr. Speaker, as members of Parliament, when we are elected, we work with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner to make sure we are following the rules and principles that are in place.
The Minister of Finance has offered to go above and beyond what the commissioner originally asked him to do, because we know how important it is to have the respect and trust of voters.
We are going to keep working with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and with all commissioners here in Parliament to make sure that we respect and defend the institutions of this House.
Ethics November 1st, 2017
Mr. Speaker, as I have done a couple of times, I think it is important, particularly today when so many young people are in this House watching the workings of our Parliament, to explain that it is perfectly normal and even important for the opposition to be asking difficult questions of a government. That is at the core of what we have as a government.
However, it is also, because of the nature of those attacks, important to have independent commissioners in whom we can all have confidence to ensure that the rules are followed in the appropriate manner. That is what we are always doing. What is coming from the opposition is noise.
Ethics November 1st, 2017
Mr. Speaker, once again, we hear, from these Conservatives, thinly veiled attacks on the quality of work done by the Ethics Commissioner, which, quite frankly, is no surprise.
For 10 years, those members were part of a government that attacked the elections commissioner, that attacked Supreme Court justices, that attacked information commissioners, privacy commissioners, that attacked a parliamentary budget officer, that attacked anyone who got in their way of ramming through their views of things.
We respect Parliament.
Ethics November 1st, 2017
Mr. Speaker, again, the members of this House of Commons rely on the excellent work done by the commissioner to ensure that all the rules are followed and that all the safeguards are in place to uphold the highest level of trust that Canadians have given to each of the 338 members who sit in this House.
The personal and nasty attacks by the members opposite to try to lower Canadians' confidence in our institutions is, quite frankly, what they rejected after 10 years of that.
Ethics November 1st, 2017
Mr. Speaker, in the House we have Canadians from all backgrounds and with diverse experiences. It is important to be able to discuss freely and openly the things that matter to Canadians.
Our Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner ensures that all the rules are followed and that there are protocols in place to protect the integrity of our parliamentary institutions. On this side of the House, we support and honour the work done by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
The Environment October 31st, 2017
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives and the NDP want to force Canadians to make a false choice between the economy and the environment.
The Liberals, like all Canadians, know that the only way to build a better future for our children and grandchildren is to protect the environment and create economic growth at the same time. That is why we are introducing a Canada-wide plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that includes carbon pricing, protecting our oceans, investing in the middle class, and creating economic growth for everyone, because that is what Canadians want.
The Environment October 31st, 2017
Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect leadership from this government that both builds and grows the economy while protecting the environment. Indeed, Canadians know that is the only way forward, where the Conservatives are very clear that they do not care about protecting the environment, and the economy suffered as a result. The NDP does not particularly care about the economy at all, it seems, with its approach.
What we have demonstrated is a responsible pan-Canadian framework and a real plan to reduce emissions, unlike any previous government of any political stripe in this country.