Justice  Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has been clear on every occasion that the decision that is being discussed was for the former attorney general to take. It is clear that the decision that the former attorney general took remains in place. We also know on this side that committees can do their important work.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, I do actually want to start by thanking Mr. Wernick for his decades of service to this country, his 37 years of service to this country. We know that when it comes to our public service, we have the best public servants in the whole wide world, and they serve our country well.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, we know that the government waived cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege so that the former minister could speak fully. We know that the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights are doing their work and asking questions. We know that the former attorney general testified for four hours and answered many questions.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, we have confidence in the members who sit on the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. We know that they can do their job. They must do their job. The government gave an unprecedented waiver of cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege so that the former minister could speak fully.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights will do their work and make their own decisions. The committee has heard different views. All the facts are now public. The former minister appeared before the committee for nearly four hours. Waiving cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege means that all pertinent information can be shared with the committee.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, what is clear is that we have regard and respect for the work that committees do. We have—

Justice  Mr. Speaker, we on this side have regard and respect for the work that committees do. We have respect for officers of Parliament. We know that the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is actually looking into this matter. We know that there are two ongoing court cases. From what we just heard from the member opposite, it is clear that Conservatives will continue to undermine our institutions.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, as I have said, this government gave an unprecedented waiver for the former minister to speak fully and in detail. The Prime Minister and this government waived solicitor-client privilege as well as cabinet confidence. Since 1987, there have only been four times when that has happened, and none included solicitor-client privilege.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, the committee has heard from all perspectives. It was this Prime Minister and this government that actually made sure that cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege were removed so that the former attorney general could appear. The opposition House leader recognizes that the former attorney general did appear.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, on this side we will focus on the facts. The government gave unprecedented waiver for a former minister to speak fully and in detail. The waiver covers the former attorney general's entire term. It covers the whole period during which allegations have been made. The committee is doing its important work.

Business of the House  Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the House that Wednesday, March 20, 2019, shall be an allotted day.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, looking at the facts, the former attorney general was at the justice committee and she stated that the Prime Minister told her it was her decision to make. The former attorney general stated that it was appropriate to discuss job impacts. The former attorney general stated on numerous occasions that she had made up her mind and she made the decision not to proceed.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, I will just remind the House, in case it has not been noted, that we have a committee process. The justice committee is looking into this matter. Members of Parliament from both sides sit on the justice committee. They have asked for witnesses to appear. Witnesses are appearing.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, it is interesting, because the government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, increased resources to committees and is permitting them to do their important work. They actually are working really well. We know that they are independent from this place and are masters of their own domain.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, in Canada we have a rule of law. On this side, we obviously respect it a lot more than on the other side. The justice committee is doing its work. Members from both sides sit on the committee. They are working together to have witnesses appear. Witnesses are appearing and they are responding to questions.