Rodger Cuzner

[Questions on the Order Paper, February 13th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

[Government Response to Petitions, February 13th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 12 petitions.

[Motions for Papers, February 12th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Notices of Motions for the Production of Papers be allowed to stand.

[Question No. 35, February 12th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all remaining questions be allowed to stand.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, February 12th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, if Question No. 35 could be made an order for return, the return would be tabled immediately.

[Questions on the Order Paper, February 12th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, Question No. 98 will be answered today.

[Government Response to Petitions, February 12th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 34 petitions.

[Canada Elections Act, February 11th, 2003]

Madam Speaker, in today's society and in today's electoral environment, polling is a tool used by most parties and by most candidates. If we are looking at a particular issue, polling is necessary. It is another way of gaining information as to the desires of specific groups or of all Canadians and knowing what is important to them.

The bill will be going to committee. The essence of the bill will not be compromised; we would not want to do that. These are aspects of the bill that can be debated. I encourage my colleague to bring forward his recommendations at the committee level.

[Canada Elections Act, February 11th, 2003]

Madam Speaker, I do not think this is about taking the taxpayers' money and spending it foolishly.

The bill is trying to build some integrity back into the process. It is about transparency and accountability. Yes, there is a small price to pay for the taxpayers of Canada, but I think it is a very small price to pay. If one looks at the figures of what it now costs Canadians through corporate donations and tax relief and what it will cost as we go forward with a revamped system through the bill that we are debating today, the difference in what it costs the people of Canada is very minimal. It is marginal.

If we ensure there is that transparency and accountability and if it builds integrity back into the system, then I think Canadians are willing to pay that price. That is what we have been told. In going door to door or listening to talk shows, that cynicism of corporate Canada pulling the levers of government is very obvious and apparent.

That is what the legislation is all about. It is why I will be supporting the legislation.

[Canada Elections Act, February 11th, 2003]

Madam Speaker, that is the essence of the bill. There is a perception and we are looking at addressing the perception. We can best allay any cynicism within the financing process if that process is clear, transparent and accountable. That is what Canadians want and demand. We have heard it time and time again.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies in casting aspersions back and forth in the House. We are guilty of it on this side as well. Throughout the Kyoto debate we were tough on taking the position that some parties might be at the mercy of certain corporate sectors.

Many Canadians want to take part in the process. We live in a great country, all of us know that. Canadians hold the virtues of democracy very high and are willing to pay a price for that. The initial response we have received around the country is that this is a positive piece of legislation. We see that Canadians want to step up and be part of that process. Through clear, open and accountable policies and a transparent process they will have that opportunity.