Mr. Speaker, the government does not comment on matters before the court.
House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 43% of the vote.
Questions on the Order Paper May 8th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, the government does not comment on matters before the court.
CBC/Radio-Canada May 8th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, as you know, the government provides the CBC with over $1 billion in taxpayer funding each and every year. It has more than enough resources to continue and complete its mandate, in both official languages, in all regions of the country
Ethics May 8th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, again it is the same answer: the case is before the courts and we will allow the process to unfold as it will.
At the same time, later on this year, disgraced former Liberal senator Mac Harb will be in front of the courts. We understand that he served in the Liberal caucus for many years. We know it was the leader of the Liberals' father who appointed the senator for Puerto Vallarta. They did nothing about it for over 30 years.
We are bringing accountability to the Senate. We are helping the Crown in its case against Mr. Duffy. Anybody found guilty will suffer the severest consequences.
Ethics May 8th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, as I have said on a number of occasions, this is before the courts so it would be inappropriate to comment.
However, last night somebody did tell me a joke about four Liberals. They are in a $1-million convertible Mercedes driving around Rockcliffe. They find a $2-million mansion and they get it for a really good deal. They decide to sit around the table and one says to the others, “How can we take money out of the pockets of middle-class Canadians?” Actually, it is not a joke because it is reality. It is they who want to take millions of dollars from Canadians' pockets.
We are going to do just the opposite. We are going to continue to fight to keep money in Canadians' pockets every single day, and focus on jobs and economic growth because that is what we do.
Ethics May 8th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, what is sad is this member of Parliament interfering with one of the most important processes that happen here. A justice brings that out and highlights two members of Parliament, of everybody in this place, highlights two NDP members of Parliament for trying to interfere in a very important process. The reason he was trying to do that is because he broke his promise to his constituents time and time again.
As opposed to apologizing to his constituents, he tried to get rid of them by realigning the boundaries in his favour.
Whether it is this member or the 68 others who owe $2.7 million, they are not the same party that came here in 2011.
Ethics May 8th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, again, that is before the courts. It would be inappropriate for me to answer.
Let me quote a justice who reviewed our boundaries, “The advice received at those public hearings, combined with the inappropriate involvement of at least two Members of Parliament, persuaded the Commission to conclude that the status quo, with a few minor” changes was needed.
That is about the member of Parliament for Timmins—James Bay who just asked this question. He voted against his constituents on a number of occasions, so he was worried that he would not be elected again. He tried to gerrymander his riding to get rid of those people.
He gets up and asks a question about ethics, when he broke the biggest rule of all: do not interfere with the court process.
Ethics May 8th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, again, I just answered that question.
It is sad. When the NDP members came to the House, they came as a party, and said they would be different. Ottawa has really changed them. They have actually outdone the Liberals.
Now, the Liberals still owe $40 million, but the NDP members are catching up very quickly. It is more its members who are personally responsible to the taxpayers, 68 of them for $2.7 million, and another 23 of them for $1.1 million. That is a lot of money that Canadians worked very hard for. I hope they will do the right thing and repay that money.
Ethics May 8th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, this is before the courts. The member knows it would be inappropriate for me to comment on that.
What is not before the courts right now, because I understand the NDP has admitted guilt and is trying to create a settlement, is the fact that this particular member personally owes the taxpayers close to $30,000 for an illegal office in Montreal. Of course, the NDP broke the rules of the House.
It is a very troubling pattern that is emerging, a pattern of abuse from the NDP, whether it is robocalls, these illegal offices, inappropriate mailings or illegal union donations. I hope it will start to do the right thing and repay taxpayers.
Ethics May 8th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, again, I have answered that, and the member knows that this is in front of the courts, so it would be inappropriate to comment.
With respect to going outside, I would be delighted, after question period, to meet the member outside to talk about the $24,498 this member personally owes the taxpayers. I would be very delighted to go outside and talk about the 68 members of the NDP. In fact, I invite the member to meet me outside after question period so we can go over these 68 members, the $2.7 million, and the 23 members who owe $1.1 million. I look—
Ethics May 8th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, this case is before the court. It would be inappropriate for me to comment.
As I said, 68 NDP members unfortunately used taxpayer resources to support an illegal office in Montreal, violating the rules of the House. In fact, the member for Beauport—Limoilou used more than $31,000 to support an illegal office.
I hope that these members of Parliament will do the right thing and pay back the millions of dollars they all owe the taxpayers.