QUESTION PERIOD — Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Sustainable Development Technology Canada
June 12, 2024
Senator Gold, you and your bosses over at the Prime Minister’s Office like to say that things are under RCMP investigation as an excuse to avoid our questions. We’re even seeing it now with the latest foreign interference on the part of parliamentarians. But when we want you to actually call in the RCMP to investigate Liberal corruption at the Sustainable Development Technology Canada fund, you won’t do it.
On Monday, the government voted against our motion referring the matter for criminal investigation. Yesterday, you refused to answer Senator Plett’s questions about handing relevant documents over to the RCMP. This isn’t a fund that was set up to fight climate change. It was set up as a slush fund to siphon hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ dollars into Liberal insiders’ pockets.
Just like your carbon tax, it’s not about fighting climate change, Senator Gold. It’s about funding Justin Trudeau’s wild and wacky out-of-control spending. That’s why you won’t axe the tax.
Senator Gold, why won’t the Trudeau government for once do the right thing: call in the RCMP?
Thank you for the question at the end of your statement. Senator Housakos, I don’t know where to begin. I know that those who follow you on social media will take pleasure from your assertions. I can only say that in each and every one of those assertions you’re incorrect, with all due respect.
To take one example, the price on pollution that is a centrepiece, though not the only component, of this government’s climate change policy is a market-driven, economist-approved, efficient and effective measure to address what is an existential crisis.
A serious government has to have a serious climate action plan. I do not see the government in waiting with anything other than slogans and talking points, and I think that’s regrettable and Canadians deserve better.
Senator Gold, I’ll tell you this: You should learn from the previous government. When there were serious allegations put forward, they would waive cabinet confidentiality, send files to the RCMP and, more importantly, call in the Auditor General. Senator Gold, $123 million worth of contracts was found to have been given inappropriately. There was $76 million that went to Liberal insiders appointed to roles within Sustainable Development Technology Canada, or SDTC, including Trudeau’s hand-picked SDTC chair siphoning off $217,000 in her own company. When will hard-working Canadians catch a break, and when will you call in the RCMP, or just call an election and get it over with?
Again, it is easy — and you have the privilege — to make these assertions about slush funds, insiders and corruptions, and you can label assertions and innuendos as facts, if you wish. Again, you are protected by privilege; I respect that.
But, again, with respect, I believe you are misstating the case. Moreover, the government has taken appropriate, necessary, prudent and responsible steps to improve the procurement processes, and will continue to do so.
