QUESTION PERIOD — Privy Council Office
Democratic Institutions
June 5, 2024
Senator Gold, let me tell you where we draw the line when it comes to foreign interference: We actually take action against entities trying to interfere in our democracy and institutions — unlike the Trudeau government, which has for years ragged the puck and prevented legislation, something known as the Kenny Chiu bill, from going forward in the House of Commons.
For three years, Bill S-237 has been tabled in this chamber; you have never spoken to that bill, Senator Gold. For that matter, other than this caucus, myself and Senator Richards, not one of the 80 government-appointed senators from the last nine years thinks foreign interference should be discussed. Those are the facts.
You’ve delayed legislation. You created a sham of a veil by trying to hide behind David Johnston. That failed.
We have the chair of the public inquiry calling your government out. Now I’m calling you out.
When will you name the parliamentarians who are implicated in this foreign interference? Who are those Liberals, both in the House and the Senate?
I will not answer that question, nor dignify the insinuation.
I will answer you, Senator Housakos, with the same —
Order. Perhaps we should let Senator Gold respond.
Senator Housakos, you have held yourself out to be an expert in the Westminster system and all things parliamentary.
It is a serious breach of understanding of what the role of the Senate is vis-à-vis our security institutions with regard to the legislation that governs the divulgation of this kind of information.
It is shocking that you would stand up here and assume you know who those members are. I will not give you more of an answer than to simply say I expect more than that from an experienced parliamentarian on the other side.
We expect honesty and transparency.
Senator Gold, I’ll tell you what we in the opposition and Canadian citizens expect from our government: for it to respect this institution called Parliament, our democracies and electoral processes.
We have now confirmed reports were taken to the Prime Minister, cabinet and government with specific names over a three-year period. They refused to take action. Don’t Canadians have the right to know who these parliamentarians are who have been working — either willingly or unwillingly — with foreign entities to interfere in our institutions?
Canadians have every right to expect that their governments, of whatever stripe or political party, act responsibly when allegations of this seriousness are brought to the attention of the government. They should expect their governments to act responsibly and not try to score cheap political points.
