Mr. Speaker, I repeat that no offer was made and no offer was accepted. This is obvious from the tapes.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Member for Newton—North Delta June 1st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I repeat that no offer was made and no offer was accepted. This is obvious from the tapes.
Member for Newton—North Delta June 1st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, we are dealing with serious matters here. The fact is for the Leader of the Opposition to deliberately misconstrue what was said, for the Leader of the Opposition to cast that kind of aspersion, is certainly not the level of stability and the kind of debate that Canadians are looking for.
I made it very clear that I would not meet with the hon. member unless it was under conditions that said he would cross the floor with no request being accepted and no offers being made.
Under those circumstances and unless those were there I was not prepared to meet with him.
Member for Newton—North Delta June 1st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the member for Newton--North Delta called to say that he was interested in crossing the floor. I essentially said to members of the government and my staff that they could pursue discussions but that under no circumstances could any offer be made, and no offer was made.
Clearly, if the hon. member had indicated that he was prepared to cross the floor under those conditions, obviously anybody would meet with somebody who was interested in crossing the floor.
The fundamental fact is that no offer was made, no request was accepted and under those circumstances--
Member for Newton—North Delta May 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, obviously the government will provide the RCMP any information it requires. I would hope that if the leader of the NDP has any such information, he would provide it.
What I find most surprising is that the Leader of the Opposition seems to imply that Canada is a police state, that in fact we will dictate to the RCMP what it should do. That is not the way it works. It would be most improper if the government were to tell the RCMP to initiate an investigation. It should be provided with the information and then an independent decision of the RCMP is taken on whether or not to act.
Member for Newton—North Delta May 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I am a little surprised that the NDP leader would not know about the ethics involved in all this. The government does not have the right to give instructions to the RCMP. It can provide information, as any individual can, but the decision to act on this information rests with the RCMP.
Member for Newton—North Delta May 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, once again, I would ask the leader of the Bloc Québécois to just take a look at what Mr. Kalia said. He was the third party, between the member and the government. Mr. Kalia said that no offer was made by the government, that the member was the one who made demands, which were refused outright.
Member for Newton—North Delta May 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, if I did not hear the tape, it is because I do not have it.
Member for Newton—Delta North May 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I have already said that I have not heard the tapes.
What I have done is read the transcript from the third party who was asked by the member to set up the meeting. I have also talked to the ministers of the government and the statement is absolutely clear that no offer was made, that an offer was solicited. No offer was made and that is the truth.
Member for Newton—Delta North May 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the third party, who was asked by the member for Newton—North Delta to set up the meeting, said that Mr. Kalia called the member's version of the events totally false. He said:
He gave me a few demands (about) what he's looking for... He's looking for his wife...(to get) a Senate post or UNO representation and himself in cabinet.
The third party said that the member's version was totally false.
Member for Newton—Delta North May 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, how does the opposition explain that Mr. Sudesh Kalia, who describes himself as a friend of Mr. Grewal and who was the intermediary, said that Mr. Grewal asked him, according to the paper, to set up the meeting?