Mr. Speaker, I think those are very important values.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 43% of the vote.
Government Appointments June 5th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I think those are very important values.
Access to Information June 5th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, as I already said, of the total number of access to information requests that have been replied to since 1983, 50% of them have been replied to by this government. We have replied to more access to information requests than the Trudeau, Mulroney, Turner, Campbell, Chrétien, and Martin governments combined. That is our record on access to information and we are darn proud of it.
Access to Information June 5th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I can say that this government has been responsible for processing over 50% of all access to information requests submitted since the law was enacted in 1983. Every year since we have been in power, the number of access to information requests has gone up.
We are acting. We have over 200,000 datasets online for complete information for the Canadian public as well. Our record is second to none when it comes to access to information.
Government Appointments June 5th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, again, Mr. Therrien is the best candidate for this position. Yesterday, the NDP said that the Privacy Commissioner is not the best candidate, and then they turned around and said that we have to listen to the commissioner. That is a hypocritical position.
Government Appointments June 5th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the Privacy Commissioner is a person with over 30 years' experience in legal and privacy matters. He comes from a field of highly qualified candidates, and he was the best candidate.
It will be interesting to see, as question period progresses, whether NDP members will repeat what they did yesterday when they had one round of questions decrying the selection of the Privacy Commissioner and another round of questions asking why we did not listen to the Privacy Commissioner. I would like to see what sort of mail-outs they are going to have on that one.
Privacy June 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I say no such thing. What I have said repeatedly is that we have a nominee who is well versed on legal matters and privacy matters. He has over 30 years of experience working for the Canadian public. He is an exceptional candidate. That is why I was proud to recommend him to the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister to this Parliament.
For this member to drag him through the mud without any regard for his service to this country is, quite frankly, shameful.
Privacy June 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, allow me the opportunity to repeat that this individual has over 30 years of experience on legal matters as well as privacy matters as a public servant, a person who has served our country. Indeed, that is why there is not just a privacy commissioner; there is a privacy commission. There are individuals who well trained to deal with all matters dealing with privacy, and I am sure in any instance where the Privacy Commissioner cannot act, the office can still act.
Privacy June 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the NDP is sensing a political opportunity in this case.
That is what the New Democrats do. They attack individuals who have had 30 years' experience serving the public sector. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Privacy June 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is mistaken on several fronts.
The candidate appeared before committee today, as we all wanted him to do. I think he defended himself extremely well. He is clearly the best candidate for the position.
There was a rigorous process in the search for a successor to the previous privacy commissioner. I was very happy to recommend who I considered to be the best choice for that job. I am sure he will do an excellent job, should Parliament accept him.
Privacy June 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, according to the Leader of the Opposition, actually having experience on legal matters and on privacy matters disqualifies someone for a post. Actually having 30 years of experience serving the public disqualifies that person for the post.
That is what the Leader of the Opposition is selling. Perhaps he will put it in a mail-out soon.