Preston Manning

[Apec Inquiry, November 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister seems to be implying that the statements made by his former solicitor general did not prejudice the RCMP complaints inquiry. But there are two affidavits before that inquiry where his solicitor general, referring to someone being investigated by that inquiry, said “Oh Hughie. Oh you mean Hughie” and commented to the effect that Hughie might have to take “a” or “the” “hit” or “fall” for that.

Is the Prime Minister saying that that statement by his former solicitor general did not prejudice the RCMP complaints commission?

[Apec Inquiry, November 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, if that is true, if the Prime Minister has nothing to fear, will he then appoint a full blown judicial inquiry and will he testify under oath before that inquiry with respect to his role in the APEC security staffing?

[Apec Inquiry, November 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, for six weeks the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister have been rabidly defending the integrity of the solicitor general. Even today, after he has been removed from his position for compromising the RCMP complaints inquiry, the Prime Minister defends him rather than give the proper explanation.

Is the Prime Minister's ethical standard to evade, to excuse and to cover up as long as possible and only to act when he is absolutely cornered?

[Apec Inquiry, November 23rd, 1998]

One down and one to go, Mr. Speaker, Now it is the Prime Minister's turn to come clean.

Six weeks ago the solicitor general was caught red handed prejudicing the RCMP complaints inquiry, but for six weeks the Prime Minister's response was evasion, excuses, covering up, and even attacking people who asked the hard questions.

Why did the Prime Minister not fire the solicitor general six weeks ago when it might have meant something with respect to the RCMP complaints commission?

[Grey Cup, November 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, while recognizing that national unity is a sensitive issue, I do feel it is important to draw to the attention of the House that yesterday the best football team from western Canada beat the best football team from central Canada in the annual Grey Cup classic.

The Calgary Stampeders from the heart of Reform country beat the Hamilton Tiger Cats from the heart of Copps country by a score of 26 to 24.

We offer our sincerest congratulations to Sid Gooch, Wally Buono, Jeff Garcia, Mark McLoughlin and all the rest of the Calgary Stampeders. We also want to offer our congratulations to Ron Lancaster, Don Southern, Danny McManus, Darrel Flutie and all the rest of the Hamilton Tiger Cats.

Congratulations to the Canadian Football League for a great Grey Cup classic.

[Apec Inquiry, November 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I think we should get to the real question which is still floating around here. Two witnesses have alleged that the solicitor general said that RCMP Sergeant Hugh Stewart might have to take a hit or a fall for pepper spraying protesters. This House and Canadians are wondering for whom is Sergeant Stewart supposed to take a hit. Is it for the solicitor general? Is it for the Minister of Foreign Affairs? Or is it for the Prime Minister himself and that is the reason for this exactly?

[Apec Inquiry, November 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the solicitor general said that an RCMP sergeant had to take a hit for this whole affair. The Liberal solicitor general has lost the trust of the country and he must resign. If he does not have enough sense to resign, he must be fired.

Earlier today in Asia the Prime Minister ducked out of a meeting with Canadian reporters and has refused to answer questions.

Why did the Prime Minister not make firing the solicitor general his number one piece of business today?

[Apec Inquiry, November 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the solicitor general can run but he cannot hide. There is now concrete proof that the solicitor general publicly discussed a sensitive police issue which was under investigation and has prejudiced that investigation. For six weeks he has denied that in this House, counting on an old friend to back up his alibi. But yesterday that old friend decided to tell the truth rather than perjure himself.

When will the solicitor general be held accountable for his actions and resign from his position?

[Health Care, November 18th, 1998]

I have a question, Mr. Speaker. If you were a sick person, to which of these two members would you go?

[Health Care, November 18th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the health minister attacks the commitment of the member for Macleod to health care, but let us make a comparison.

The member for Macleod spent seven years in medical school. He spent 25 years as a practising surgeon seeing 25 sick people per day. The lawyer turned health care minister, the closest he got to health issues was chasing ambulances in Toronto.