Tony Clement

[Government Accountability, November 2nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we have done the exact opposite, as I mentioned, through our quarterly financial reports, estimates and other means in the House. We have co-operated with the Parliamentary Budget Officer, of course. These decisions were made to get us to a balanced budget, which is part of our jobs plan for this country. Economic growth is important to us on this side of the House.

On the other side, the members vote against these things. However, they are all in favour of $21 billion of extra burden on taxes when it comes to their carbon tax. That is their record. We will take our record seven days out of seven.

[Government Accountability, November 2nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it is quite the contrary. We continue to provide information to the budget officer, as we have done in the past. We do so now. We will do so in the future. We have given information according to statutory obligations to the House through our quarterly financial reports, estimates and other means. We will continue to do so in the future.

[Treasury Board, October 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore for his most excellent question. As per usual, he is representing his constituents very well.

I would also like to say that this government is leading the way to returning to balanced budgets, and the public accounts prove this. The public accounts also confirm that Canada has the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7 highly industrialized countries.

We are the government that has created more than 820,000 net new jobs working with the private sector. We are proud of that record, too.

In contrast, the other side is focused on a $21 billion carbon tax.

[Public Accounts of Canada, October 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to table today, in both official languages, the Public Accounts of Canada 2012.

The Government of Canada is committed to strong financial management and reporting to ensure accountability and transparency. For the 14th consecutive year, the Auditor General of Canada has provided an unqualified audit opinion of the Government of Canada's financial statements and, indeed, the Government of Canada can be justifiably proud of this record.

[Persons with Disabilities, October 23rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we are working with officials and the unions in order to establish a viable plan for the future that will protect the interests of public servants and also be accountable to taxpayers, of course.

That is our government's policy, a policy that will continue in the future.

[Ethics, October 23rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, this was an investigation into a private citizen. We do have tough laws in place in this area, and we expect them to be followed. We have expanded the list of public servants who are covered under the act. We have increased the accuracy of reporting for all lobbyists; the five year ban on lobbying; post-employment restrictions on public office holders through a single authority.

We are on the side of accountability and making sure that lobbyists do adhere to the law.

[Ethics, October 23rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, this investigation concerns the private life of a citizen. We have tough laws in place in this area and we expect them to be followed. That is our response to this question.

[Budget Implementation, October 23rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we have made some important changes, found in various budget documents, that make sure we are responsible to taxpayers for the spending that we do, including the public service. I think most Canadians judge those changes to be fair and reasonable. They certainly help us focus on the issues that Canadians care about: jobs and growth in our economy.

[Ethics, October 22nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, as I have already said in this place today, spouses disclose their holdings to the Ethics Commissioner in accordance with the rules and follow any instructions from the Ethics Commissioner on potential conflicts of interest.

[Ethics, October 22nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, spouses disclose their assets to the Ethics Commissioner, in accordance with the rules, and follow the Commissioner's advice concerning potential conflicts of interest.