Stephen Harper

[Firearms Registry, April 21st, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the member of Parliament in question immediately said that those remarks were not acceptable. He apologized for them and, in fact, the staffer in question has actually resigned.

The truth of the matter and the real problem here is that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to change his own position. He is the one who said:

No sensible Canadian thinks the problem is the shotgun on the barn door. No sensible Canadian thinks the problem is the target shooter or the legitimate licensed gun owner.

I liked him when he was a sensible Canadian.

[Ethics, April 20th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, ordinary citizens have to adhere to the lobbying rules. As for the government, it is responsible for making contract decisions. In this instance, I have no evidence of the existence of a contract, and certainly not of an improperly awarded one.

[Ethics, April 20th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I have no information about any contract having been awarded to Mr. Jaffer. Naturally, there are rules in place governing lobbyists, and we expect lobbyists to adhere to these rules.

[Ethics, April 20th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said before, it is not appropriate to comment on these things. When we received the serious information with some serious allegations, those were given to the RCMP, to the authorities, and it is up to them, obviously, to do with it what they will. We will await the outcomes of their actions.

[Ethics, April 20th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said before, once I received some information related to the minister, that information was appropriately given to the authorities. We took the appropriate action and the authorities will fulfill their responsibilities.

[Ethics, April 20th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Jaffer is a private citizen. As soon as I received information regarding certain allegations, I forwarded them to the authorities as quickly as possible.

[Canada Health Act, April 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I certainly respect the willingness of the NDP to enforce the Canada Health Act against any violations but it should first be sure that violations have actually occurred.

The reality is very clear. The Canada Health Act is the law of the land and this government has indicated that it expects the provinces to follow the law.

[Canada Health Act, April 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the Canada Health Act is the law in this country. We expect the provinces to respect the law.

[Access to Information, April 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, of course, it is not appropriate that I would comment on any such information. It is appropriate that the authorities would have that information and would look into it. Of course, if the hon. member would have any similar information, I am sure he would do the same.

However, I have to reject the premise of the question. I think it has been very apparent for many years in Afghanistan now that whenever Canadian officials or Canadian military personnel receive any problems in their dealings with Afghan prisoners, they take the appropriate action.

[Ethics, April 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, I received serious allegations, but I do not have direct knowledge of this information. That is why I forwarded it to the RCMP and others.

It is perfectly appropriate for the authorities to take the necessary action.