Peter Van Loan

[Privilege, April 5th, 2012]

It is absolutely understandable that officials in the affected departments would want to defend and explain their actions. That is what has been reported by the Auditor General in his report. In the sections that said that the officials in those two departments, not the government, took issue, I can understand the actual inclination for them to want to do it. However, the position of the government is not the position taken by the officials in those departments.

The position of the government, as reported in the House by us, is a position that is taken by the Governor-in-Council. It is a position that is taken by cabinet. We have had the opportunity and the benefit of reading the Auditor General's report, taking into account all the facts related in it, the information that has been provided, including the efforts by members of the department to explain their actions. The fact is, having considered all those findings and having considered those recommendations, cabinet, the Governor-in-Council, agrees with the Auditor General.

[Privilege, April 5th, 2012]

The fact is, in the report of the Auditor General, the Auditor General was somewhat critical and cast questions on the conduct and diligence of officials.

[Privilege, April 5th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the leader of the third party is frustrated that he does not have the opportunity to present opposition day speeches and debates as often as he might otherwise have if the Liberals were the official opposition, as they formerly were.

Essentially, that is what we have had. I have heard nothing in the way of any meaningful question of privilege that can be addressed here.

[Business of the House, April 5th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, first let me acknowledge the important vote we had in the House last evening to approve this year's budget. Economic action plan 2012 is a low-tax plan for jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. Since July 2009, almost 700,000 net new jobs have been created in Canada. We are on track, and our budget seeks to achieve the same kind of long-term growth and prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, the House will adjourn this afternoon to celebrate Easter and Passover, followed by a pause to work in our constituencies. When we return on Monday, April 23, the House will have the sixth day of second reading debate on Bill C-31, the Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, April 24 and 25, the House will consider report stage and third reading of Bill C-26, the citizen's arrest and self-defence act, for which I anticipate broad support.

Finally, on Thursday, April 26, we shall have the first allotted day, which will belong to the official opposition.

[Ethics, April 5th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our government has been clear. We will not accept or tolerate any misuse or abuse of taxpayer dollars in any fashion, including the fashion here.

We are talking about the activities of a former employee, and more important, we have recovered every penny. The taxpayers are not on the hook for a single dime. That is the way a government should conduct itself.

[Ethics, April 5th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the government has acted appropriately. It is important to note that we are talking about a former employee.

The second point is that all moneys have been recovered. The taxpayers are not on the hook for a single dime. That is exactly how a government should act in the circumstances.

[Ethics, April 5th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I am not familiar with any minister by that title and I am sure you will deal with that appropriately.

This is a question that is actually about a former employee. All amounts that were in question have been recovered and taxpayers are not on the hook for a single dime. Our government will not tolerate any misuse of taxpayers' dollars.

[Privilege, April 4th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, officials may have the views they have and he may have the views he has. This government has clearly expressed, through the ministers here, the views we have that we accept the findings of the Auditor General and the recommendations.

[Pensions, April 3rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we are trying to ensure that we are fair to future generations by ensuring there is an old age security system for them and we are trying to be fair to taxpayers who will finally see all members of Parliament y receive a pension that is in line with private sector expectations, to which they are contributing an equal share to the taxpayers. That is the fairness that taxpayers deserve and that is what we will be delivering.

[Elections Canada, April 2nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the chairman of Elections Canada has indicated clearly that he has the resources he needs to do his job. What we are very impressed with, though, is that Elections Canada has stepped forward as part of a government-wide effort to work to ensure that we have a balanced budget so that Canada's fiscal position remains strong. He indicated he was prepared to make savings on behalf of his organization, and we commend him for making that effort.

It is a good model for all arms of government that everyone is doing their part in this effort to help balance the budget to ensure Canada remains in a strong fiscal position for years to come.