QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Use of Liberal Party Database
May 7, 2019
Minister Goodale, the Trudeau PMO now admits they used the Liberal Party database to vet all government appointments. PMO claims this is for information only. That might be plausible if PMO checked only the person being appointed, but PMO admitted they vet the appointments short list. Your government is using the Liberal Party database to actually pick the successful candidate.
Minister, as you will know, the Liberal Party database contains much more information on Canadians than what is publicly available: donors, including those giving less than $200; party members; identified Liberal supporters; and lawn signs.
Your Liberal political process is even being used to vet National Parole Board appointments. Minister Goodale, I don’t see why you need to know if someone had a lawn sign when you are selecting people to decide whether murderers should get out of prison.
Minister, where and how are the Trudeau PMO and your minister’s office staff accessing this Liberal Party database? There are only a few possible options and not a single one is appropriate. Are computers containing this information in PMO, PCO or your minister’s office? Are PMO, PCO or your ministerial staffers physically going to Liberal Party headquarters to obtain this information? Are they phoning or communicating with Liberal Party headquarters to get it? Or do PMO, PCO or your ministerial staff have an access code for the Liberal Party database? Which is it?
Honourable senators, when I make recommendations for appointment to the various boards and commissions that fall under my jurisdiction, I do so on the basis of the qualifications of the individuals who come forward. As you know, there is an open process where people apply and signal their interest; they submit a detailed application form. It’s on that basis that the most meritorious of candidates are selected. That’s the information that I rely on. When I’m choosing people to recommend to the Parole Board, for example, that is a serious responsibility. That goes to public safety in this country. I make sure that every recommendation I make, to the very best of my knowledge and belief, is the best-qualified candidate for that job.
Honourable senators, the time for Question Period has expired. I’m sure honourable senators would like to join me in thanking Minister Goodale for being with us today. Thank you, minister.
