Government Operations committee  What had happened, and where the confusion had developed, was after the last election, as you know, we had two weeks to clear my office here in Centre Block. I had no place, I had no office set up, no place to set anything, so I sent whatever boxes I couldn't throw away or couldn't go through to my wife's office.

Government Operations committee  Maybe you should wait for that, because obviously you're not the judge and jury, Mr. Martin. But I think it will be clear that we haven't done anything wrong. As I mentioned throughout this exchange today, that's not the nature of our business. You can allege from any reports that you wish and slander me if you wish.

Government Operations committee  As I said, I'll go back to my opening statement, because I think it's clear that--

Human Resources committee  André, I want to come back to a question that was raised earlier by Mr. Komarnicki. He was at least moving into that territory. In Bill C-395, it's clear that you want employees to get benefits during a lockout period. To reframe, rephrase, or repeat the question, do you think employers should get a payroll holiday, with no payroll taxes, or some type of compensation when employees go on strike?

Government Operations committee  Just so that I'm completely clear, I haven't seen it, but it was reported that on your website at one point it said that you would be able to secure support from the Canadian government.

Agriculture committee  You say that the banking industry believes young farmers are “important”, and that you are seeing “a resurgence of interest in agriculture by the younger generation of farmers”, whom you call “bright and determined”. I think that is an incredible, clear picture and description of what I see, not only, likely, in my area, which is an agriculture area in Lambton--Kent--Middlesex in Ontario, but there are young farmers coming along in a very difficult time.

Government Operations committee  It's true that I had relations with the current members of government, but to protect my wife and to protect the friendships I had, I made it clear before I started this business that I did not feel comfortable ever approaching them for anything, especially anything related to my business, and that I never wanted my wife in any conflict situation, so I refused to do that sort of work.

Fisheries committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just so we're clear, I haven't heard anybody propose this amendment, so I assume we're still dealing with the original motion, nor have I heard anybody else speak in favour of this motion besides Mr. Byrne, so I think we're probably at a place where we need to draw this to a question.

Government Operations committee  Okay. I'm again going back to that little point of confusion. Let's get this clear.

Afghanistan committee  We were well aware that the justice and security institutions suffered from deep systemic challenges. The Government of Afghanistan had a clear official policy prohibiting torture and abuse of prisoners, but we were also aware, Mr. Chairman, of gaps in human capacity, insufficient training, poor infrastructure, and some very crude conditions.

Keeping Canadians Safe (International Transfer of Offenders) Act  That would solve their problem and it would cost less. They are going to lock people up and throw away the key. It is not clear whether they can or want to pay for the lethal injection. Maybe they will consider a bullet to the head, which costs only 35¢. Such is the government's policy. The worst part is that the government will not admit it.

Government Operations committee  Initially, when our names appeared as witnesses, I found it unusual that the committee wanted to speak to us, as our business does not conduct any lobbying activities, nor do we attempt to secure any public funding for our work. Then it became clear, from the vicious attacks from media sources and in particular the opposition parties, that the reason we were being hauled in front of this committee was due to second-hand allegations, rumour, and innuendo, all based on political agendas that have been playing fast and furious with people's reputations, destroying their lives without any basis in fact and not allowing them to defend themselves appropriately.

Afghanistan committee  Let me emphasize that while we were under no illusion about the possibility of mistreatment within Afghan detention facilities, we made crystal clear to the most senior Afghan government officials the importance Canada attaches to the proper treatment of detainees that we turned over to their authorities. We had received strong assurances that the Government of Afghanistan took its human rights obligations seriously.

Status of Women committee  This would include dedicated advocacy with all levels of government through the best means possible, bringing clear focus and attention to this issue, including making authorities more accountable for their actions. It is our position that such a plan would, first, recognize violence faced by indigenous women; second, work to build an effective and unbiased police response through appropriate training; third, supply adequate resources and coordination to address violence; fourth, improve public awareness and accountability through the consistent collection and publication of comprehensive national statistics on rates of violent crime against indigenous women; and fifth, include supports to reduce the risk to aboriginal women by closing the economic and social gap between indigenous and non-indigenous people in Canada.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, our government has been quite clear. We have been strong supporters of supply management, and we continue to be. That has not prevented us from successfully entering into free trade agreements with the United States, with Colombia and with other countries and having the benefits of the prosperity that have come from that.