House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Ethics October 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, once again, that question has been clearly answered.
What is not, of course, being answered is why in fact the Leader of the Opposition keeps changing his own story.
Yesterday he got up in this place and said that Mr. Duffy was the victim of extortion because people were trying to get him to pay back monies he never should have claimed in the first place. We expected Mr. Duffy to repay his money, just like I think his own party would expect him to repay damages in court.
Ethics October 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, once again, Mr. Wright has not only been very clear. He has been very clear about his sole responsibility and his dealings with others on this matter. He is being held accountable for that.
I wonder how many members of the NDP are aware that this party leader not only claims expenses for court cases he loses but also expects his political party to actually pay, for him, the damages imposed by a court of law.
Ethics October 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, once again, I have been very clear. I said that Mr. Duffy should repay the expenses himself, expenses he had inappropriately claimed from the Senate for expenses he had never in fact incurred. That was the position.
My understanding, the understanding of this caucus and the entire Canadian public, was that Mr. Duffy had indeed repaid those expenses himself. That proved not to be the truth.
Mr. Wright, who paid them on his behalf, is no longer on the public payroll. Mr. Duffy should not be on the public payroll, and neither should other senators who have behaved inappropriately as well.
Ethics October 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, again, all political parties will provide legal assistance to members of its caucus in good standing.
If the Leader of the Opposition thinks this is a problem, why would he have his party not only pay his legal expenses but even pay nearly $100,000 of wrongdoing damages imposed by a court of law? Why?
That is something the Conservative Party certainly does not does do. Why did he do it?
Ethics October 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the Conservative Party, as do other parties, provide legal assistance to their members of Parliament.
In the case of the leader of the NDP, it is my understanding, and he can confirm, that not only has his party in the past paid for certain legal expenses, it even paid findings of wrongdoing against him by a court of law. The party paid almost $100,000 in damages on his behalf. Could he confirm that?
Ethics October 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I think I have been very clear that my view was that Mr. Duffy should repay his expenses, expenses he took inappropriately from the taxpayers of Canada. That is not the obligation of the Conservative Party and Mr. Duffy has not yet done that. The fact of the matter is that parties do assist their members in good standing from time to time with legal expenses. In fact, it is the case.
The member can confirm it is the case that his political party has on a number of occasions provided him with substantial legal assistance.
Ethics October 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, that allegation is false. I said that it is not unusual for political parties to provide legal assistance to caucus members from time to time.
It is the case, as I said yesterday, that all political parties do provide legal assistance to their members. I believe that is done in his party as well.
Ethics October 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the facts are very clear. Mr. Wright's actions are unacceptable and that is why he is no longer working for me. He is no longer on the public payroll and, for that reason, Mr. Duffy should not be either.
Ethics October 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Wright and I both agreed that his actions were completely inappropriate. That is why he is no longer working for us. He has accepted the responsibility for his actions. He is being held accountable. Obviously when things like this happen, we would expect the other side of the transaction, Mr. Duffy, to do the same. That has not been done and that is why he should be removed from the public payroll.
Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement October 29th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the trade agreement between Canada and Europe is the biggest deal Canada has ever made. It will create jobs and opportunities for families, businesses and workers across Canada. It is a historic win. Therefore, I have the great honour to table, in both official languages, the summary of the final negotiated results for the Canada-Europe trade agreement.