Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I believe that the Conservative Leader of the Opposition, whose innuendo is calculated to deceive the public, does not really like what the polls say in Quebec. When he speaks of Quebec, he speaks in French and when he speaks in English, he speaks of the NDP to make his point.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, let me congratulate you on the success of this return to Parliament. I also wish to congratulate the minister on his promotion. I am sure we will have ample opportunities to work together in the future. I have a question for the minister. I am concerned that any tampering with the presumption of innocence or the right to remain silent could set dangerous precedents.

Democratic Institutions  Mr. Speaker, observers of federal politics have come to the same conclusion about this session. They call it four months of time wasted by the Liberals on trying to avoid an inquiry into Chinese interference. A waste of time is what everyone is taking away from this government's stubborn defiance of the will of the people and of the House.

Government Accountability  Mr. Speaker, ministers do not know anything about anything. That may seem like an odd statement, but it is nevertheless a major part of this government's record. The Minister for Public Safety was out of the loop on Paul Bernardo's transfer, even though his employees knew about it.

Government Accountability  Mr. Speaker, the government's response may be worse than the situation itself. It says that it has given instructions to inform ministers from now on about hot issues that concern them, such as the transfer of prisoners of interest or threats against elected members. This government has been in power since 2015 and it is telling us it is now requiring its ministers to be made aware of their portfolios.

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act  Mr. Speaker, time allocation and closure are two ways to kill democracy. I would just like to give some advice to the party opposite. According to Shakespeare, the proud leave no glory behind them. That is something to think about.

Democratic Institutions  Madam Speaker, hope springs eternal, but as Paul Valéry added, it is like walking a tightrope. The government says it wants to work together, but there is only one week left for parliamentary business. It has one week to announce a commission of inquiry, and it does not have carte blanche.

Democratic Institutions  Madam Speaker, we have just one week left until the House rises for the summer. There is only one week left for the government to finally launch the commission of inquiry into Chinese interference that the public has been calling for since last winter. I urge my Liberal colleagues to face reality.

Democratic Institutions  Mr. Speaker, foreign interference continues while the government is still waffling, wondering what to do about the special rapporteur fiasco. It still cannot take the first step, which is to announce whether it intends to launch a public and independent commission of inquiry. I am reminded of those profound words, full of wisdom, from Talleyrand, a French diplomat, who said something to the effect that there is only one way to say yes, and that is yes, and all the others mean no.

Democratic Institutions  Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois is collaborating to ensure that a public inquiry into Chinese interference will finally be launched. We have submitted names of potential commissioners in order to foster a consensus and make sure that the government will finally launch this public inquiry before we rise for the summer.

Democratic Institutions  Mr. Speaker, nobody in their right mind would accept that kind of position without making sure that they were independent from the government. That is why the government needs to announce a real commission of inquiry and give the commissioner the latitude they need concerning their mandate.

Democratic Institutions  Mr. Speaker, David Johnston was trapped. From day one, the mandate he received from the Prime Minister went against the will of the public and the House. Now that he has honourably stepped down, the government is signalling openness and is asking us to suggest candidates to lead an inquiry.

Democratic Institutions  Mr. Speaker, let us take a step back. There is foreign interference in our electoral system. About a dozen ridings were targeted. The former leader of the opposition was targeted, along with at least two other members. This is extremely serious. The House itself is being targeted.

Democratic Institutions  Mr. Speaker, yesterday, in the committee on Chinese interference, David Johnston confirmed that he based his report on incomplete information. He did not even take the time to talk to the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada or the Commissioner of Canada Elections. He did not do the necessary work, yet he concluded that there is no need for a public inquiry.

Democratic Institutions  Mr. Speaker, during this morning's committee meeting investigating Chinese interference, David Johnston explained why he believes a public inquiry had to be avoided. His reason? In his opinion, an inquiry would be expensive and time-consuming. Does anyone know what else is expensive and time-consuming?