Pablo Rodriguez

[Ethics, July 21st, 2020]

Here are the real issues, Mr. Speaker. We were there with the Canadian army when the long-term care facilities needed it. We were there to take care of people who lost their job. We were there for our small businesses and providing the wage subsidy when they were unable to make ends meet. We are here today for people with disabilities. We were there for seniors.

Those are the real issues that the Prime Minister and the entire government are addressing.

[Ethics, July 21st, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has the full confidence of the government and our entire caucus.

Together, we must work to make things better for all Canadians and to support people who have lost their jobs, people who are too sick, people who are caring for someone who is sick, seniors and people with disabilities. That is why we are here today, with the support of everyone. We are here to take real action on behalf of all Quebeckers and Canadians. That is what we should focus on.

[Ethics, July 20th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, the government is focusing on programs that are fundamental to Canadians, like the CERB or the wage subsidy, for example.

The reason why we are here today is to help people with disabilities. We are focusing on that and on all the real priorities of all Quebeckers and all Canadians. It is our responsibility to do that. It is the responsibility of the government.

The Bloc Québécois can put on a dog and pony show, but the reality is that this government is focusing on what it needs to do and that is to help all Quebeckers and Canadians. This partisanship will not change a thing.

[Ethics, July 20th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think that this type of partisanship is appropriate today.

With all due respect to my colleague, I would remind him, since he just said that the House is not sitting, that we are in fact sitting. Last time I checked the calendar, it was July. The House usually does not sit this month, but we are here today and will be here tomorrow and the day after that.

We are happy to answer his questions.

[Ethics, July 20th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleague that members act independently in committee. Far be it from us to try to influence committee work.

The Conservatives may like telling their MPs what to do, but on the government side, we are committed to protecting the independence of committees. The independence of members is absolutely fundamental to the proper functioning of the House and always will be.

[Ethics, July 20th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague knows full well that committees are independent and make their own decisions. The members who sit on these committees act in accordance with their priorities and their knowledge of the issues. They ask good questions and have good debates.

The government will never tell members what to do, because it understands that a committee's independence is too important to be disregarded.

[Business of the House, July 20th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and if you seek it, I think you will find unanimous consent to adopt the follow motion.

I move:

That, notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House,

(a) a bill in the name of the Minister of Finance, entitled An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures, be deemed to have been introduced and read a first time and ordered for consideration at second reading later this day and on Tuesday, July 21, 2020;

(b) at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, or when no member rises to speak, whichever is earlier, the Speaker shall interrupt the proceedings and put without further debate or amendment all questions necessary to dispose of the second reading stage of the bill, provided that, if a recorded division is requested, it shall not be deferred;

(c) if the bill is adopted at second reading, it shall be referred to a committee of the whole, deemed considered in committee of the whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at report stage, and deemed read a third time and passed;

(d) when the bill has been read a third time and passed, the House shall adjourn until Wednesday, July 22, 2020, pursuant to order made on Tuesday, May 26, 2020;

(e) the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations be added to the list of committees in paragraph (e) of the order made on Tuesday, May 26, 2020; and

(f) the application of Standing Orders 15 and 17 be suspended until Monday, September 21, 2020.

[Government Business No. 8, July 8th, 2020]

moved:

That the House take note of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken by the government to respond to it.

[COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Matters, July 8th, 2020]

Madam Chair, that is an excellent question that should be asked of the Conservatives, because we all agree in this place that we should be able to vote electronically. It is extremely important. That way, we could have people here and people in their ridings who do not have to travel here, and all members would be able to vote.

Now, let us ask the Conservatives why they do not support that.

[COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Matters, July 8th, 2020]

Madam Chair, we have always supported the work of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, and we have complete faith in all of the independent officers of Parliament, including the commissioner.

Our government has always co-operated in every way and will continue to do so.