Fair Elections Act  Mr. Speaker, one of our colleagues actually said that given the fact the government has a whole list of serial cheaters, it would make all the sense in the world to make sure that we give people an opportunity to have their say. The government has had its run-ins with Elections Canada.

Fair Elections Act  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that. I was expecting the cautionary note. Quite frankly, I was getting as close as I could to the line in terms of language I could use to refute the language of hypocrisy that, unfortunately, is allowed in this place. That is a word that should not be allowed in this place, but the hon. member used it, and I wanted to refute it without crossing the line.

Fair Elections Act  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to join in the debate. Might I begin, first, by commenting on the remarks of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, the member for Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, whom I work with very closely on PROC.

Democratic Reform  Mr. Speaker, from in and out to robocalls, Canadians do not trust the Conservative government, and for good reason. For example, on March 12, 2012, every member of the House, including the Conservative government, voted unanimously in favour of the NDP motion to give Elections Canada the power to compel witnesses and the power to demand financial documents.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, the defence minister today has taken great pains to refer to the report in question and say that it does not show that Canadians have been electronically tracked. My question is: Will the minister, then, therefore, stand up and categorically state that under no conditions have innocent, law-abiding Canadians been electronically tracked by CSEC, yes or no?

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, section 273 of the National Defence Act states that the activities of the Communications Security Establishment shall “...not be directed at Canadians or any person in Canada”. Could the minister tell this House how tracking the activities of average, law-abiding Canadians could ever be considered lawful?

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, let me quote Ontario's Privacy Commissioner to the minister: It is really unbelievable that CSEC would engage in that kind of surveillance of Canadians. Of us. Will the minister acknowledge that tracking the locations of Canadians by CSEC is against the law? Will he at least acknowledge it is wrong?

Situation in Ukraine  Mr. Chair, I will respond this way. I will go back to 2004, which was a tremendous turning point for me personally. We were there through our regular Christmas season, and we left a day or two before the Orthodox Christmas. I know how religious Ukrainian people are and how much their faith means to them.

Situation in Ukraine  Mr. Chair, I apologize. I will not even try to fake it. I thought it was a new debate, so I did not hear the question. I will not waste your time and do any kind of dance. I apologize to my friend. I was packing up. I thought I was concluded, because I talk so much.

Situation in Ukraine  Mr. Chair, I thank my hon. colleague for the question and his comments. I do know that monument very well. We have a very strong Canada-Ukrainian friendship group and a great tie with Paul Grod, whose name has been mentioned here, who has been in touch and may even be watching as we speak.

Situation in Ukraine  Mr. Chair, I appreciate the opportunity to say a few words. If I might, the first thing I would like to do is join with others who have mentioned how appropriate it is, during the week of Mandela's death, the celebration of his life around the world, and his funeral, that we would come together on this, the last time we will be sitting here this year.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, Canadians have been witnessing months of Conservative evasion and doublespeak when it comes to the Senate expense scandal and the cover-up hatched in the Prime Minister's own office. To be crystal clear, could the government tell us this? Has the Prime Minister always told the House everything he knows about what happened in his office surrounding the illegal payment to former Conservative Senator Mike Duffy?

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, that is interesting because it was only a couple of weeks ago that the Prime Minister admitted he was actually first told on May 15 about the payment from the party to then Conservative senator Mike Duffy to pay his legal expenses. The Prime Minister was asked repeatedly for months about any payments made to senator Duffy and yet he chose to say nothing.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, can the Prime Minister share with the Canadian public how much it will cost taxpayers to have three high-priced, Bay Street-linked law firms defending the PMO? Why does the Prime Minister need experts in courtroom litigation? Is that where the Prime Minister expects to find himself soon?

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, the week began with the PMO accusing itself of a cover-up and ended with Conservative senators blocking an investigation into whether Conservative senators tried to cover up an expense scandal involving yet other Conservative senators. No wonder the member has so much trouble explaining his government's actions.