Paul Calandra

[Ethics, June 5th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, as I said, the Senate invited the Auditor General in and we expect all senators to continue to participate in this process. It is unfortunate that this member refuses to participate in reimbursing the Canadian taxpayer the over $30,000 that the member owes to the taxpayer.

For some reason, this member, along with 67 other members of the NDP caucus, took money out of their ridings, money meant for their constituents, and redirected it to an illegal partisan party office in Montreal, and now they are refusing to pay back the taxpayer of Canada. They should do it. Repay.

[Ethics, June 5th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, it was the Senate that actually invited in the Auditor General to review its expenses, and we expect that senators will continue to co-operate in that process.

At the same time, we know that it is the New Democrats who owe $2.7 million to the Canadian taxpayers. In fact, this member herself took $30,000 that was meant for her riding and redistributed it to an illegal office in Montreal, against the rules of this House, and now refuses to pay back the taxpayers. I hope that she and the other 67 members will do the right thing and pay taxpayers back.

[Ethics, June 5th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, it was the Senate that invited the Auditor General in to examine their expenses.

The senator in question is no longer a member of the Conservative caucus. We have said all along that anybody who is clearly under police investigation needs to step out of this caucus.

[Ethics, June 5th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, as I have already said, any abuse of taxpayer dollars is completely unacceptable.

The Senate invited the Auditor General to review expenses. We have received the report and are waiting for the Senate's response.

[Ethics, June 5th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, this government did bring in a number of potential reforms to the Senate, which included electing senators and term limits for senators.

That was referred to the Supreme Court of Canada, which in its wisdom decided that any changes to the makeup of the Senate had to be done with the unanimous support of all of the provinces.

We are not going to get involved in protracted constitutional negotiations. We are going to continue to be focused on jobs and economic growth.

[Ethics, June 5th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, of course, it was the Senate itself that invited the Auditor General in to review all of its expenses.

Again, it is my understanding that the Senate has received this report, and it will be tabled on Tuesday. We eagerly await its response.

[Ethics, June 5th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, obviously, any abuse of taxpayer dollars is completely unacceptable.

It was, of course, the Senate that invited the Auditor General in to review all of their expenses. We understand that they have received the report, and the Senate is responsible for responding to that.

[Doors Open Ontario, June 5th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the community in my hometown of Whitchurch-Stouffville will be participating in Doors Open Ontario. It is an opportunity for the residents of our community to see the important buildings and heritage buildings that have helped to build our community and that are so important to our community.

At the same time, I want to recognize a local resident by the name of Fred Robbins. Fred is the unofficial town historian who has been a major force in helping to bring Doors Open Ontario to our Whitchurch-Stouffville community. He has won awards for the work that he has done in helping to promote and preserve the history and heritage of our community.

I want to highlight Mr. Robbins because although he may never receive the Order of Canada, he makes great contributions to our community, just as hundreds of other people do in communities across the country, who do what they do not for recognition but because they know it is right.

I want to salute Fred Robbins and all of the people who are participating in Doors Open Ontario in my hometown of Whitchurch-Stouffville.

[Ethics, June 4th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, it was the Senate that invited in the Auditor General to review senators' expenses.

However, when it comes to accountability, there are 68 members of the NDP caucus who owe $2.7 million. The member himself owes over $122,000 to the people of his riding. He should pay it back. Instead of making those 29 cheques out to the Quebec separatist party, if he could redirect a few of those cheques to the people of Canada to pay back the $122,000 he owes--

[Ethics, June 4th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, as you know, it was the Senate that invited in the Auditor General to review senators' expenses. As we have said right from the beginning, we expect that all senators would co-operate and assist the Auditor General.

At the same time, we know that the NDP owes $2.7 million to the Canadian taxpayers. There are some 68 members of that caucus who will be spending their summer in the defendant's box at court trying to explain to Canadians why they refuse to pay back the $2.7 million they owe them.

The member for Scarborough Southwest owes $141,000. He is part of the--