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QUESTION PERIOD — Privy Council Office

Government Responsibility

October 24, 2024


Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition)

Nothing is ever this government’s fault. Questions about Canadians unable to afford food are met with scorn and insults, as they were yesterday. Questions about the pain caused by the carbon tax are met with contempt. Questions about a lack of housing are brushed aside. Even today, we didn’t hear any apologies from the Prime Minister for ruining Canada’s immigration system. He probably blames Stephen Harper.

Senator Martin [ - ]

Yes, still.

You said you have a business background. I have a plumbing background. As a plumber, I know what we should be doing with this Liberal-NDP government that won’t take responsibility. What do you think we should do with them?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) [ - ]

I think what this chamber deserves and one of its functions is serious consideration freed from hyper-partisanship that characterizes the other place, and sober second thought on legislation and public policy. I think that this is what the Senate has the capacity to do. I think it is its constitutional responsibility to do so. That’s what we should be doing in this chamber, and I wish that — as our committees do so well — these few moments that we have together would fall more in that spirit.

Well, we saw what committees do at the Agriculture Committee today. I don’t often agree, Senator Gold, with The Globe and Mail, but today they hit the nail on the head. They said this government is, “Image over substance, and party over country.” The Globe and Mail, Senator Gold, not Conservative talking points. Canadians have had enough of your government’s talking points and slogans. They deserve a government that puts their needs first, don’t they?

Senator Gold [ - ]

Senator Plett, your questions and certainly the way you frame them towards the end are very attractive, I’m sure, to many. This government will continue to do its work, as it is doing, to help Canadians. I’m not here as the government representative to speculate upon matters beyond —

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