QUESTION PERIOD — Privy Council Office
Information Transparency
November 6, 2024
Leader, a senior official in the Prime Minister’s own department, the Privy Council Office, told a House committee that he attended two private meetings between NDP and Liberal members of Parliament. They discussed the changes to the Canada Elections Act that they found in Bill C-65 to protect their pensions.
When asked if he could provide the committee with documents from those meetings, he said, “My understanding is that the briefing was primarily oral.” No documents, no accountability — not worth the cost. This reminds me of the Canada Revenue Agency claiming it had no documents about a decision regarding the Canada Emergency Response Benefit that cost $8 billion.
How dumb does this NDP-Liberal government think Canadians are? How dumb do you think Canadians are?
I was wondering if there would be a question in there.
I don’t think Canadians are dumb; quite the contrary. I have tremendous respect for Canadians and for all people, certainly those who take the time to be interested in the work we do here in this chamber and in public life, more generally, as well as all those who take the time to inform themselves of the issues that affect their communities and this country.
I have no knowledge of those meetings that took place between members of Parliament nor of the subject they discussed. I’m still unclear why you believe this rises to the level of a question, but you have a follow-up, so perhaps you can illuminate me further.
It’s in the media. Do you read the papers, Senator Gold?
Codewords were used when talking about retired Vice-Admiral Mark Norman. There were no documents about problems with the fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft procurement, a $2.2‑billion project. There was a refusal to say why a loan of $196 million was written off in 2018. I could go on and on, Senator Gold.
What does accountability mean to your government?
First of all, I do read the papers. Thank you for your interest in my reading habits.
This government has a good track record of working toward greater transparency and accountability, and it will continue to do so.
