Pablo Rodriguez

[Proceedings of the House and Committees, May 26th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I want to tell my colleague that, although we may disagree from time to time, we will always be on the same page when it comes to working here for our seniors, for people with disabilities and for people who have lost their jobs. We will always collaborate, since that is the role of the government and the opposition alike.

No matter how good they are to begin with, government bills can always be improved. That is exactly what the opposition did. I want to give them credit for that today. The NDP, the Conservatives and the Bloc all made the bills better. We are working closely with them because the government does not have all the answers and is not always right. We sometimes make mistakes and do things imperfectly. Thanks to our collaboration with the opposition, we were able to improve these bills.

Yes, we will continue to work to help our seniors and people with disabilities, and to provide sick leave to workers.

[Proceedings of the House and Committees, May 26th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague says that we are hiding, yet there will be six hours of questions instead of four. To my mind, six is greater than four.

The opposition will be able to ask questions on any topic, not just the pandemic, even though it is the current priority of all Canadians. Pursuant to Standing Order 31, MPs from all regions will be able to participate in the proceedings through screens. Members from remote regions, whether in Quebec or elsewhere in Canada, will be able to take part in the debate at any point, which is a cornerstone of democracy.

If the Bloc Québécois was not happy with the motion, it could have come to the table and negotiated with us. The Bloc Québécois says it wants to make gains for Quebec, but gains are made around the table, not by sulking. Think of hockey: goals are scored on the ice. How many of Guy Lafleur's 560 goals were scored while he was on the bench?

[Proceedings of the House and Committees, May 26th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, this very important motion strikes the right balance between the important role Parliament has to play and also respecting the public health advice. Through this motion, we are adding time for the opposition to ask questions. The opposition will be able to ask questions on pretty much anything it wants. There will be MPs physically present and there will be MPs participating virtually, which means MPs from all over the country will be able to participate.

This is great for democracy, and that is why we introduced this motion. I am not sure which part opposition members do not like: the fact that everybody participates, that they get more questions, that there are S.O. 31s or that we meet this summer. I do not know which part they do not like.

[Proceedings of the House and Committees, May 26th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, in relation to the consideration of Government Business No. 7, I move:

That the debate be not further adjourned.

[Foreign Affairs, May 26th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I disagree completely with what my colleague said.

There are currently eight committees that meet on a regular basis. For example, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met five times and heard from 32 witnesses. In total, there have been 74 committee meetings and we heard from 580 witnesses. Furthermore, 23 ministers have appeared. This was all done during a pandemic, with all the difficulties it has caused. We managed it, we ensured that committees can sit.

[Business of the House, May 26th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I thought I was speaking clearly when I said the numbers 15 and 17. If it was unclear, I apologize. It was indeed Standing Orders 15 and 17.

[Business of the House, May 26th, 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 following motion.

I move:

That, notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House, the application of Standing Orders 15 and 17 be suspended for the current sitting; and that the provisions of paragraphs (l) and (n) of the order adopted on Saturday, April 11, 2020, continue to apply to committees scheduled to meet by videoconference later this day.

[Proceedings of the House and Committees, May 25th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, with respect to the consideration of Government Business No. 7 I wish to give notice that at the next sitting of the House I shall move, pursuant to Standing Order 57, that debate be not further adjourned.

[Auditor General of Canada, May 25th, 2020]

moved:

That, in accordance with subsection 3(1) of the Auditor General Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-17, and pursuant to Standing Order 111.1, this House approve the appointment of Karen Hogan as Auditor General of Canada for a term of 10 years.

[Sittings of the House, May 25th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, what is essential is for the opposition to be able to ask questions. It is essential that committees can work. For example, in recent weeks, we had 74 meetings of different committees, 580 witnesses and 23 appearances by ministers. This is crucial, because this is our democracy. We will always defend our democracy at the same time that we respect the directions by our health experts. We are here to answer questions, and we are pleased to answer those questions.