Paul Calandra

[Ethics, March 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I answered that question yesterday. These are allegations with respect to a private citizen who did not receive any government contracts. As soon as we heard about these allegations, we immediately informed the RCMP.

[Ethics, March 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, of course the member's assertions are absolutely, completely ridiculous.

On this side of the House we surround ourselves with people who put the interests of this country first, who work day in and day out to make this country bigger, better, stronger, and to create jobs, unlike the opposition. The Leader of the Opposition surrounds himself with people who would want to break apart the country and then allows them the opportunity to get up in this House day after day and ask questions of a government, while at the same time he is making cheques to the separatist cause in Quebec.

We on this side of the House will stand up for Canada, will stand up for taxpayers, and will continue to build a bigger, better, stronger, unified Canada.

[Ethics, March 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for this question. These are major allegations against a private citizen.

At the same time, I would like to point out the good work that this government is doing to guarantee the highest ethical standards. I am referring to the work of the Ethics Commissioner and the Commissioner of Lobbying. When the government heard these allegations, it immediately notified the RCMP.

[Ethics, March 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, these allegations are concerning a private citizen.

At the same time, this allows me to highlight the fact that it was this government that brought forward a Lobbying Commissioner and an Ethics Commissioner and that strengthened the laws to ensure that people do not take advantage of their positions.

As soon as the government found out, it referred this to the RCMP. If this gentleman or any person found in contravention of the law is found guilty then they should suffer under the full consequences of the law that, by and large, this government has brought in.

[Ethics, March 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, of course these allegations relate to the actions of a private citizen who obviously did not get a government contract. As soon as the government found out about these allegations we referred them to the Lobbying Commissioner and the Ethics Commissioner, and we informed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Again, like any Canadian, if this gentleman is found to have broken any laws, he should suffer under the full consequences of the law.

[Questions on the Order Paper, March 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, in processing parliamentary returns, the government applies the Privacy Act and the principles set out in the Access to Information Act, and the information requested has been withheld on the grounds that the information constitutes personal information.

[Ethics, March 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, a million jobs created, $3,400 in the pockets of Canadian taxpayers, a justice system that is focusing on the rights of victims, massive amounts of re-investment in our Canadian Armed Forces—we are getting our natural resources to markets, we are opening up new markets for our small, medium and large job creators, and on and on.

It is this Conservative government that is transforming the way this country is seen, not only abroad but also here at home. Canadians are proud of that.

As well, we had an extraordinary showing at the Olympics, which I am very proud of. Canadians have every right to be proud of this country. We will continue to stand up for that and to make sure that all Canadians continue to be proud.

[Privacy, March 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as I have already said, I was very proud to hear the speech delivered by the Aga Khan in the House last week.

I would hope all members share that sense of pride we felt in hearing the Aga Khan, hearing his words and hearing the affection he has for this country. I was also proud that across this country so many people wanted to hear the words of the Aga Khan.

It also highlighted not only the good work of the Aga Khan and the foundation but also the extraordinary work of the Ismaili community in this country to help build a better, safer, stronger Canada, and we will continue to advance that both at home and abroad.

[Privacy, March 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, let me just say how proud and honoured I was to be in this chamber to hear the words of the Aga Khan last week, and to hear the affection and esteem in which he holds this country.

I know I was proud and I know that all members were proud. It really highlights not only the good work that the foundation does but also the extraordinary work that the Ismaili community has done to help build this country into the great place that it is. I am very proud of that, and I know all members of this chamber were too, at least they should be.

We will continue to advance initiatives that highlight how great Canada is on the world stage.

[Ethics, March 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I know it will not surprise you that I take the word of the RCMP when they say that the Prime Minister had no idea that the situation was occurring. The Prime Minister also said that had he known, he would have put an immediate stop to it.

Moreover, the report by the RCMP shows the lengths to which the Prime Minister went to assist the RCMP, including ensuring that his staff assisted and provided any information they needed. Thousands of emails were turned over. Waivers were signed. We are doing all that we can to assist the RCMP in this investigation, and we will continue to do that.