2019-03-18

Mr. Speaker, it is these Liberals who are eroding Canadians' confidence in their institutions, and Anne McLellan is not an institution. She is a former Liberal minister who was there during the sponsorship scandal.The former attorney general has made it clear that she has more to say. The Prime Minister is standing in her way, blocking her from completing her testimony.Will he stop being so afraid of what she has to say, remove the gag order and let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, it is clear to everyone watching that the justice committee is controlled by the Prime Minister's Office through the Liberal members on that committee.Today, we just heard that the Prime Minister is going to be asking his Liberal friend Anne McLellan to apparently investigate. I guess his Liberal friends Gerry Butts, Kathleen Wynne and Sheila Copps were busy. We do not need any Liberals investigating Liberals. What we need to have is the former attorney general being allowed to speak and to give her whole story. Will the Prime Minister let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is right. Canadians should have confidence in their institutions, but it is his actions and those around him that have eroded that confidence.Remember that on February 7, the Prime Minister said that all these allegations were completely false. We then saw two ministers resign on principle. Then his former principal secretary, Gerald Butts, had to resign in disgrace. Today, the Clerk of the Privy Council had to do the exact same thing.If the Prime Minister wants to restore confidence, he can let the former attorney general complete her testimony, starting tomorrow at the justice committee.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, the Liberals will table their last budget before the election. This is the Liberals' last chance to be forgiven for all the times it has betrayed Quebec. They cut health transfers, wasted our money on dirty oil, abandoned our aerospace sector and failed our rural areas. The list is long, especially for our dairy producers, who were sold out three times in free trade agreements. It is their last chance.Will the government finally compensate in full our producers for the three breaches in supply management?

Mr. Speaker, over 150,000 students demonstrated in Montreal last Friday.Thousands more walked in almost every town and city in Canada, with students saying that we were stealing their future and they wanted to take it back. One sign in Victoria, where hundreds and hundreds of kids were marching, said that the kids were the only adults in the room.When will the government get rid of the Harper target to extinction and bring in place a target that takes us to survival?

Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for all members when I say that we are all shocked and saddened by news of the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. I know that the Prime Minister and I, along with other opposition leaders, will be making statements after question period, but I wanted to give the Prime Minister the opportunity to join with me now, and indeed all members, in expressing our profound sorrow for the victims and their families, while standing in solidarity with Muslims all over the world and condemning the hateful ideologies that promote violence and intolerance.

Mr. Speaker, last week at the justice committee emergency meeting, Liberal MPs shut down debate on the PMO's interference scandal. Tomorrow, Liberals intend to hold a meeting out of the public eye, behind closed doors. They keep telling Canadians there is nothing to see here, that it is just procedural. The fact is that the former attorney generalwants to tell her whole truth, but the Prime Minister refuses to let Canadians hear it. This is a deliberate obstruction of justice. Canadians deserve the truth. Will the Prime Minister do the right thing and allow the former attorney general to speak her whole truth for Canadians to hear—yes or no?

Mr. Speaker, I know Canadians would have more confidence in our system if the Prime Minister would just let the former attorney general speak.The SNC-Lavalin scandal has yet again shone a light on the government's ethical failures. The former attorney general's testimony detailed grossly inappropriate actions taken by the Prime Minister and his inner circle. However, this was not even her full story. The Prime Minister continues to refuse to let her speak fully and freely. Canadians deserve to hear the rest of her story.If the Prime Minister has nothing to hide, will he allow Liberal members on the justice committee to let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, on at least four separate occasions at the justice committee, the former attorney general said that she could not talk about something because of privilege restrictions. She could not talk about why she left cabinet, even though the Prime Minister, Gerry Butts and the Clerk of the Privy Council all did. To add insult to injury, the Liberals on the justice committee are clearly nothing more than PMO puppets who are part of this cover-up.The justice committee meets tomorrow morning. Will the Prime Minister finally remove all the restrictions and let the former attorney general speak at the justice committee?

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's attempt to interfere with the SNC-Lavalin bribery case has cost him his former attorney general, the President of the Treasury Board and the Clerk of the Privy Council. He is going to bring a Liberal back from the sponsorship days to make it all right. Who is coming up with these ideas? It is no wonder the OECD anti-bribery unit said this has set all the alarms ringing. This is like a five-alarm dumpster fire of political cronyism, incompetence and now obstruction. What is the Prime Minister so afraid of that he will not let the former attorney general speak her truth so Canadians can get to the bottom of this very tawdry scandal?

Mr. Speaker, climate change is real and the cost of inaction is enormous. For the young Canadians who marched on Friday, we hear them. We are taking action to put a price on pollution, to phase out coal and to keep our oceans and communities clean. Unlike the Conservatives who want to make pollution free again and have no plan for the environment, our government has a serious plan to fight climate change. Our plan will create a cleaner, more prosperous future for our kids and our grandkids.

Mr. Speaker, six weeks ago, the Prime Minister denied that he attempted to interfere in a criminal trial. His excuses have evolved as evidence of political interference has accumulated, despite sycophantic stonewalling by Liberal members of the justice committee. Now the Prime Minister and senior staffers have lawyered up, on the public dime, in apparent anticipation of criminal investigation and possible prosecution.We are looking at unvarnished corruption here. Will the Prime Minister direct Liberal MPs to stop the cover-up at the justice committee tomorrow?

Mr. Speaker, imagine that, she was there for about four and a half hours. She was allowed to speak, yet she told us and all Canadians that she has more to say, that her testimony has not been made complete.My question is very simple. Canadians want a full story. They want to understand the full picture here. They do not see why the government is shutting down the justice committee and not allowing the former attorney general to speak. Parliament belongs to Canadians. They deserve answers. Will the Prime Minister end the cover-up and let her speak?

So, Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's top adviser has resigned. His attorney general has resigned. His Treasury Board president has resigned. Now the head of the entire public service has resigned. No one did anything wrong, but everybody is resigning for it.We know something happened here, something bad enough that the former attorney general could no longer be part of the government at all, but she has not been able to tell us why. Will the Prime Minister join with us tomorrow morning at the justice committee to let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, now the Prime Minister is bringing in a politician from the era of the Liberal ad scam to investigate today's Liberal “Lav” scam. However, Anne McLellan is a bit busy right now. In fact, on March 31, people can meet with her if they donate to the Liberal Party and attend a fundraiser. I guess that is where they will discuss this independent investigation.I have a better idea. Tomorrow the justice committee will meet in the morning to decide whether to bring back the former attorney general to complete her testimony. Will the Prime Minister let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister refuses to come clean about his interference in the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin. He is choosing instead to cover it up at every opportunity. It is clear that the Prime Minister interfered in a criminal trial to defend his friends and now he has hired lawyers to defend himself.Could the Prime Minister confirm if he or his staff has been contacted by the RCMP?

Mr. Speaker, there we have it. Liberals will investigate Liberals to get to the bottom of this affair: former Liberal cabinet minister Anne McLellan. Maybe Sheila Copps was not available. This is unbelievable and all for something that according to the Prime Minister was completely false. He said that none of these accusations were true. However, in order to prove that, he could do the right thing and let the former attorney general complete her testimony, starting tomorrow at the justice committee.

Mr. Speaker, from spurring economic development to reducing greenhouse gases, the virtues of the VIA Rail high-frequency train proposal are well known.One year ago today, the Minister of Transport promised us an answer before the end of the year, but we have no answer yet. It looks like high-frequency rail will end up being just an election promise, not one of this government's accomplishments. If the Minister of Infrastructure can announce a $1-billion investment in light rail projects in Edmonton, why can the Minister of Transport not do anything for Canada's most densely populated corridor?

Mr. Speaker, for the Prime Minister, the SNC-Lavalin saga is turning into an outright corruption scandal, the likes of which have never been seen in Canada. A prime minister who refuses to accept the decision of his own country's attorney general and even refuses to allow her to immediately explain why no longer deserves to govern.We have even learned that the Prime Minister has hired outside lawyers to prepare his defence. Why is the Prime Minister preparing his defence? Will he stop hiding the truth from Canadians?

Mr. Speaker, the minister expects us to have confidence in a justice committee that shuts down debate 20 minutes into a meeting, before a motion can even be debated. Now Liberals are throwing up the smokescreen of Anne McLellan. Anne McLellan served in cabinet with the Minister of Public Safety, the Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and the Minister of Veterans Affairs. She was a minister during the Liberal sponsorship scandal. That is going to make this go away?Why does the Prime Minister not lift the gag order tomorrow at the justice committee and let the former attorney general speak?

Mr. Speaker, three budgets and Canadians are still waiting for housing.Last Friday, I was in the streets with thousands of young people to protest against the government's serious lack of leadership on the climate crisis. They say that the time for talk, political rhetoric and half measures is over.Will the Prime Minister get rid of the carbon price exemption for major polluters?

Mr. Speaker, Canada has had a stellar reputation as a founding member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Sadly, under the Liberal government, that reputation is being tarnished by the Prime Minister's conduct in the SNC-Lavalin affair, and the OECD bribery group is now investigating the Liberal government's actions. When will the Prime Minister recognize that Liberal corruption and stonewalling is harming Canada's international reputation?

Mr. Speaker, environmental leaders do not buy pipelines.People are concerned about how easy it is for wealthy individuals to access the Prime Minister's Office. They are troubled by how the rich managed to get legislation passed through the back door. Worse still, the OECD's anti-bribery unit is concerned about possible political interference.Why is the Prime Minister so afraid to uncover the truth and launch a public inquiry?

Mr. Speaker, the former attorney general says the SNC scandal is a serious wake-up call, and the OECD says all alarms are sounding. This is serious. Canadians and our allies must be reassured that our rule of law is intact. We need the whole truth, not just the pieces the Prime Minister will allow us to hear.Tomorrow, Liberal members will determine the future of the investigation. Will the Prime Minister let the former attorney general speak tomorrow at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice?

Mr. Speaker, the safe third country agreement was not working over a year ago. The U.S. is not a safe country for asylum seekers. Children continue to be separated from their parents. Gender-based violence is no longer recognized as a basis for asylum.The Prime Minister stated that the treatment of asylum seekers by the U.S. was wrong, but instead of suspending the agreement, the Liberals are looking to expand it and apply it to those crossing into Canada irregularly. Is this what a Liberal feminist government looks like, denying women fleeing domestic violence the right to make an asylum claim?

Mr. Speaker, where there is smoke, there is fire, and that fire is burning so fiercely in the Prime Minister's Office that they had to call in the firefighters. News surfaced this weekend that private-sector lawyers have been hired for the Prime Minister and cabinet members named in the cover-up.Rather than waste Canadian taxpayers' money, will the Prime Minister come clean tomorrow at the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights?Did the RCMP contact him or his office about political interference in criminal proceedings against SNC-Lavalin, yes or no?

Mr. Speaker, we are learning that the government has entered into discussions with the U.S. to close the loophole in the safe third country agreement. The government has allowed thousands of illegal migrants to flood into Canada and has spent hundreds of millions of dollars, yet it has done nothing to resolve the issue. Why did the government allow the situation to deteriorate so badly before sitting down with the Americans to enforce our border laws?

Mr. Speaker, we are still waiting for answers on the SNC-Lavalin scandal. It is high time Canadians got the whole truth.The former attorney general must be allowed to speak her whole truth. In her March 14 letter, she clearly reiterated that recent events have been a wake-up call for many across the country, and further clarity and information are needed. Will the Liberal members on the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights back off and agree to let her appear at committee tomorrow morning?

Yes, Mr. Speaker, she did appear and the Conservative deputy leader asked her this, “Can you tell us why you've resigned from cabinet?” The answer was, “I cannot”. The reason is that the Prime Minister kept in a gag order for the period after he moved her out of the position of attorney general. During that period, she witnessed events so egregious she thought it merited her resignation from cabinet altogether. If the Prime Minister has nothing to hide, tomorrow morning he will show up at the justice committee and have his members vote in favour of letting her speak. Will he?

Mr. Speaker, on this side we will focus on the facts. The government gave unprecedented waiver for a former minister to speak fully and in detail. The waiver covers the former attorney general's entire term. It covers the whole period during which allegations have been made.The committee is doing its important work. The Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is doing its work. We know there are two ongoing investigations.I am not surprised that the Conservatives would play their traditional game of smearing names. Maybe we should reach out to Jay Hill and find out how to undermine the work of committees. That was the Conservative way.

Mr. Speaker, in 2017, we extended our military training mission in Ukraine, Operation Unifier, until 2019. Since then, 200 Canadian Armed Forces members have trained close to 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers, and Canada has been advising the country on NATO standard defence reforms. Can the Minister of National Defence update the House on how our government is standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in the face of Russian military aggression?

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has been clear on every occasion that the decision that is being discussed was for the former attorney general to take. It is clear that the decision that the former attorney general took remains in place. We also know on this side that committees can do their important work. We see that the NDP now have the same talking points as the Conservatives, and they look for direction from their leader as to what to do at committee and what not to do. That is not the approach of this side. This Prime Minister and this government respect the work of members who sit on the committee. We will let them do their important work.

Mr. Speaker, I do actually want to start by thanking Mr. Wernick for his decades of service to this country, his 37 years of service to this country. We know that when it comes to our public service, we have the best public servants in the whole wide world, and they serve our country well. When it comes to members who sit on the justice committee, we have confidence that they will do their important work.That member might choose to use name-calling, or whatever approach, but we know that the justice committee can do its work. We know that officers of Parliament should be able to do their work. We believe in and support the independence of the judicial system. We will focus on Canadians, while they focus on tactics.

Mr. Speaker, the only job the Prime Minister is concerned about is his own.The OECD's anti-bribery unit is concerned about political interference and said this scandal set “all alarms sounding”.For Canadians watching at home, this does not look any different than when the Conservatives were in power: special access for powerful corporations, a closed door for everyone else.Why is the Prime Minister so afraid to launch a public inquiry?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank and commend the member for Vaughan—Woodbridge for his amazing work.The government clearly understands that gender equality is good for Canadians and also for the economy.That is why we have introduced a new parental sharing benefit, which is giving parents five more weeks to spend with their children. That is why, with investments in early learning and child care, with investments in the historic Canada child benefit, we are giving more money to parents to spend on their children and more time for them to spend with their children.

Mr. Speaker, again, we have confidence in the work members of Parliament who sit on the justice committee will do. We know that they are capable of it. We know that the Prime Minister has taken responsibility for the breakdown in trust and communication within his office. We know that he has committed to finding a better way forward, because that is exactly what it is.When it comes to the Conservatives, it is interesting. They talk about what Canadians want. Canadians want an economy that works for them so that they can work and be able to contribute. Canadians want a clean, greener future for their kids and grandkids. That is what we are delivering. The Conservatives continue to have no plan and play their tactics.

Mr. Speaker, I will try this again. There are members of Parliament from both sides who sit on committees. When it comes to our members, they make their decisions, and they know how to proceed. What they do know is that members have been appearing. It was actually this Prime Minister and this government that waived solicitor-client privilege as well as cabinet confidence to ensure that the former attorney general and minister of justice could appear at committee and share what she needed to share.We know that she was there for over four hours. We know that the questions got asked. She was able to answer them. We also know that the questions were quite repetitive.

Mr. Speaker, as we all know, our media industry is going through an unprecedented crisis. Last year, the government promised a tax credit and other measures to support Canadian journalism. A few announcements were made, but since then, there has been radio silence. The government issued a news release, but it has not provided any money or anything concrete. Now, rumour has it that the government is planning to delay all this until just after the election. Funnily enough, Facebook and Google have no trouble securing a meeting with the Prime Minister or a massive tax break. Meanwhile, our media industry is crumbling, and thousands of Canadian jobs are at risk. How many more years will the media have to wait?

Mr. Speaker, due to a glitch in CPP payments that started in 2009, for 10 years both the Conservative and Liberal governments overpaid seniors, and now they are telling these seniors that they have to pay it back. Seniors might have even been unaware of the overpayment. It could also mean that they paid higher taxes. Paying these amounts back will impact seniors, the most vulnerable seniors, who are on or below the poverty line in this country. Can the current government explain to the people of Canada what it is going to do to make sure that seniors are not overburdened with paperwork and that the most vulnerable are not paying, with so few resources?

Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by expressing our solidarity with the people of New Zealand who are mourning the attack on Muslim brothers and sisters at the masjid in Christchurch.I met a mom in Burnaby. She bought a home, but cannot afford to live there anymore. Her daughter has a good job, but only gets by because she lives in the basement. Her son does not see a future. Like too many Canadians, he has lost all hope.However, the Prime Minister is telling families like hers to wait for help. I believe that better is possible. Will the government commit to building half a million new affordable homes?

Mr. Speaker, speaking of not having a plan, more than 150,000 students in Quebec went on strike on Friday to call for action on climate change. They are calling on governments to take action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. They are sounding the alarm because the government is getting further and further away from its greenhouse gas reduction targets every year.Will the Prime Minister eliminate subsidies for the oil and gas industries?Will he show some political courage by proposing measures to reduce pollution and investing in renewable energy, or will students have to jeopardize their education to get their message across?

Mr. Speaker, we have confidence in the members who sit on the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. We know that they can do their job. They must do their job.The government gave an unprecedented waiver of cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege so that the former minister could speak fully. Since 1987, there have only been four instances where cabinet confidence was waived, and none of those included solicitor-client privilege. We will do so because we know that Canadians must hear her. This is exactly why the former attorney general was there.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart burdened with the painful memory of the terrorist attack perpetrated in my community in Quebec City on January 29, 2017, that I seek the unanimous consent of the House regarding the following motion to support the people of New Zealand: I move: That the House, (i) condemns the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand; (ii) extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones; (iii) expresses solidarity with the people of New Zealand and Muslim communities in Canada and around the world; (iv) affirms the need to confront hatred, Islamophobia, and white supremacy, in all their forms; and (v) commits to working to create a world where all people, no matter their faith, can feel supported and safe.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians across the country were appalled to learn of the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones in this terrible attack. To the people of New Zealand and Muslim communities in Canada and around the world, they are in our hearts and minds and we stand with them.I spoke with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern over the weekend to convey Canada's support through this difficult time, both as a government, as political institutions, and also from people to people. I also want to highlight that in regard to the Netherlands, our thoughts are with the residents as we learn more on the possible terrorist attack they have gone through this morning. We will be reaching out to counterparts to offer our support.

Mr. Speaker, unlike the NDP apparently, we will always stand up to protect workers and businesses across this country.We know that there are good jobs in various industries across the country, and these workers deserve to be protected. That is why we are so pleased to point out that we have created nearly 950,000 jobs over the past three years. We will continue to create more.We will always stand up to protect our workers, all Canadians and good jobs across the country. We will always do that. We will not apologize for standing up for jobs.

Mr. Speaker, as I have said, this government gave an unprecedented waiver for the former minister to speak fully and in detail. The Prime Minister and this government waived solicitor-client privilege as well as cabinet confidence. Since 1987, there have only been four times when that has happened, and none included solicitor-client privilege.One of those times was under Stephen Harper. It is interesting that the member now talks about how committees operate. It is clear that he is projecting, because he knows that Stephen Harper used to tell them what to do.We on this side have confidence in our members who sit on the justice committee. We know that they can do their work fully independently of this place.

Mr. Speaker, we have committees in which parliamentarians and members of Parliament sit. The justice committee is the committee the member refers to. It is doing its important work, and we believe it should be able to.It was this Prime Minister—

Mr. Speaker, Canadians see what is going on. They know that the right to speak was cut off after January 14, but that the former attorney general should have the right to talk about what happened during a period of time between January 14 and February 12. There is a lot of information that is critical to this case.Will the Prime Minister allow the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights to have the former attorney general come back to testify?

Mr. Speaker, I will take this occasion to first congratulate and welcome the new member for Burnaby South to the House. I know that he, like every member of this place, will aim to best represent and serve Canadians and his constituents. I hope he and his party will support the work our government has done to lift hundreds of thousands of children across the country out of poverty. We lowered taxes for the middle class and raised them on the wealthiest 1%. We indeed ended boil water advisories in so many communities across the country with more to do. These are the things we will continue to work on and we look forward to his support in creating a better and fairer Canada for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, we on this side have regard and respect for the work that committees do. We have respect for officers of Parliament. We know that the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is actually looking into this matter. We know that there are two ongoing court cases.From what we just heard from the member opposite, it is clear that Conservatives will continue to undermine our institutions.The former attorney general appeared at committee. Something she said is that Canadians can have confidence in their institutions and that the rule of law was followed.

Mr. Speaker, since our first day in office, we have consistently stood up for Canadians, defended workers and created good jobs right across the country. Indeed, Canadians have created close to 950,000 good new jobs right across the country over three and a half years, because this government remains focused on creating opportunities for workers, opportunities for Canadians.We are of course going to make sure that we continue to maintain the trust and confidence that Canadians have in their institutions and we are happy to answer all of the various questions going on, but we will continue to stand up for jobs.

Mr. Speaker, the committee has heard from all perspectives. It was this Prime Minister and this government that actually made sure that cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege were removed so that the former attorney general could appear. The opposition House leader recognizes that the former attorney general did appear. We know there were four hours of questioning—twice. We know that she was able to share her perspectives. More importantly, these conversations took place in public so that Canadians could also be able to hear what took place. That member should know how committees operate. It is unfortunate that the Conservatives have no regard for committees.

Mr. Speaker, I know the Conservatives have never let the facts get in the way, but it is important that Canadians be reminded of them. It was actually the Prime Minister and this government that waived solicitor-client privilege and waived cabinet confidence so the former attorney general could appear. It was justice committee members who asked that the clerk appear, asked the former attorney general to appear and asked for other witnesses to appear. Those people have been appearing. We also know that the justice committee has been now sitting for five weeks. We know that the former attorney general appeared for over four hours and answered a series of questions, which, by the end, were quite repetitive.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Laurentides—Labelle for his hard work.Our government is supporting the minerals sector by extending the mineral exploration tax credit for five years, by investing in innovation and by fixing the broken review process for mines and other major projects. Now our new Canadian minerals and metals plan will ensure the sector continues to create good middle-class jobs for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Prime Minister.The former attorney general of Canada confirmed that the Prime Minister and his staff subjected her to consistent and sustained political pressure to end criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin. The Prime Minister has retained the services of a lawyer to defend him against potential criminal charges. If he really wants to get to the bottom of what happened, he can waive solicitor-client privilege and allow the former attorney general to say everything she wants to say.When will he do that?

Mr. Speaker, if that member were more concerned about actually seeing what is taking place at committee instead of worrying about sign-outs, maybe he would see that the committee has actually been doing its important work. It has been studying this matter for over five weeks. There has been a series of witnesses who have appeared. We have confidence that the committee can do its important work.Additionally, the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is looking into this matter. We believe that officers of Parliament are independent of this place and should be able to do this work. We also know that there is an ongoing court case. We believe in the independence of the judiciary. We will not undermine them like the Conservatives continue to do.

Mr. Speaker, the premise of made a little mistake, it is not the events of the last few weeks that led to the erosion of trust. It was the coordinated, unwanted and sustained campaign of political pressure on the former attorney general that eroded trust under his government. Other people have had the ability to come back to complete their testimony, but so far the Prime Minister is denying that right to the former attorney general. She wrote a letter saying that this matter was serious and that some questions remained unanswered. She can answer those questions if the Prime Minister lets her. Will he?

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Etobicoke Centre for his tireless advocacy for the people of Ukraine. He knows our government's support for Ukraine is unwavering. Today we announced the renewal of our military training and co-operation mission in Ukraine for an additional three years, until March 2022. This mission is a key part of Canada's whole-of-government approach to supporting Ukraine. We want a strong, stable and sovereign Ukraine, and we are helping Ukrainians achieve that goal. We stand with the people of Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that that member recognize that when it comes to the rule of law in Canada, it is intact, and it is being followed. We also know that in Canada, we have institutions and officers of Parliament who are able to do their work. We know that the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is looking into this matter. We have confidence that they are able to do that important work, something the Conservatives did not understand for 10 years. It is clear that they do not seem to comprehend that now. We know that there is an ongoing court case. We will let the independent judicial system do its important work, because we know that it should.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to have faith in their institutions and the people who serve in them. The events of the last few weeks have raised important questions about the relationship between the federal government and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.Today I am announcing that the Hon. Anne McLellan will serve as special adviser to examine these question and make independent recommendations. As a former minister of justice and attorney general and deputy prime minister, she has a unique understanding of these roles. Her work will help—

Mr. Speaker, Canada and the United States have the most secure and efficient border in the world. The safe third country agreement remains an important tool for us to continue to work together on the orderly processing of asylum claims made in both our countries. We know that this agreement can be improved, and I have personally met with members of the U.S. Congress, border protection agencies and the Department of Homeland Security, because we believe that there are opportunities to improve this agreement to the mutual benefit of both countries and our citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate all the young people who marched across Canada and around the world to support climate action just last week. The irony is not lost on me that while students were striking for climate action, the Ford government in Ontario was actually touring university campuses to fight action on climate change. In answer to the member's question, we are taking action to reduce emissions. We are putting a price on pollution that is going to make life more affordable and bring our emissions down. Our electricity is going to be 90% clean by 2030. We are making the largest investment in Canada's history in public transit.These are real measures that are going to impact climate change. They are going to make a difference for Canadians for generations.

Mr. Speaker, for many years, governments of different political strips failed to take action. Now, our government is implementing concrete measures to fight climate change.We have put a price on pollution. We launched a historic plan to protect our oceans, our land and our marine areas. We have made record investments in renewable energy and in greener solutions for our businesses and entrepreneurs. We will continue to believe that the only way to protect the environment is to create economic growth at the same time, and that is what we are going to do.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect and deserve to have faith in the institutions and the people who serve in them. The events of the last few weeks have raised important questions about the relationship between the federal government and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. I am therefore announcing that the Hon. Anne McLellan will serve as special adviser to examine these questions and provide independent recommendations to us. As former minister of justice and attorney general and deputy prime minister, she is uniquely suited for this role. Her work will be another important step toward maintaining Canadians' confidence in their institutions.

Mr. Speaker, I do indeed love to talk about the international rules-based order, because that is absolutely essential to the defence of the Canadian national interest in the world.When it comes to the OECD, Canada is proud of our participation in this important organization. We have been clear from the start with the OECD that we support its work and will co-operate with it fully.

Mr. Speaker, the Broadcasting Act has not been reviewed since before the Internet was in our homes. Why is that? It is because for 10 years, the Conservatives took no action on this.We have appointed a panel of experts to help modernize this act. Our starting point is clear. All players who participate in this system will pay. There will be no free ride.I know that my colleague, the Minister of Finance, is working with our allied countries to find a consensual approach to this.

Mr. Speaker, the government gave an unprecedented waiver for the former minister to speak fully and in detail. Nothing related to this matter was off limits. The waiver covered the former attorney general's entire term and covers the entire period for which allegations have been made. Since 1987, there have only been four similar instances where cabinet confidence was waived and none of those included solicitor-client privilege. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner continues his important work and we have appointed the Hon. Anne McLellan as special adviser—

Mr. Speaker, I know that the Conservative Party cannot understand that when it comes to members who sit on committees, they are capable of making their own decisions. Members who sit on the justice committee know that this file has been with the justice committee for five weeks, and they have been able to hear from all perspectives. Members also know that they have been able to ask questions. Witnesses have appeared and answered those questions.When it comes to the former attorney general, we know that the Prime Minister waived solicitor-client privilege. We know that he waived cabinet confidence. That is something that was unheard of under the Conservatives.

Mr. Speaker, exactly as that member has asked, I would like to reassure Canadians and international partners that the rule of law is intact in Canada.I would like to reassure Canadians that they can have trust and faith in our democratic institutions. It is the justice committee that is doing its important work, and it continues to do so. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is studying this matter. We know that they will do their important work.We know that there are two ongoing investigations, courts cases. We know that we can have confidence in the independence of our judicial system. We have confidence, and Canadians can too.

Mr. Speaker, our agenda on helping middle-class Canadians has started helping seniors. In budget 2016, we introduced an enhancement to the guaranteed income supplement, which is helping to lift 75,000 seniors out of poverty. We have also introduced an enhancement to the Canada pension plan, a historic enhancement, which we had not seen for many decades. We are working very hard to make sure that all vulnerable seniors receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear that people who come to Canada seeking our protection are overwhelmingly families and children. When they enter the country, regardless of how they enter, if they make a claim for asylum, they are entitled under Canadian law to a fair hearing, due process and our protection until a determination of their eligibility is made. We have been working very closely with our counterparts in the United States to ensure that the bilateral agreement that exists between us operates fairly and efficiently to encourage people to cross at regular points of entry to maintain the security and the integrity of our borders. We will continue with that important work.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that they have not heard the whole truth when it comes to the Prime Minister's scandal.In a letter to her constituents, the former attorney general said that these matters were still unfolding and that further clarity and information were needed. She said that this matter was serious and some questions remain unanswered.Will the Prime Minister authorize her to appear again before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights tomorrow?

Mr. Speaker, the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights took the time to hear from witnesses who came to answer questions.We know that the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights have been studying this matter for five weeks now. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is also looking into this matter. We know that we can count on the work done by the committee and the Office of the Ethics Commissioner.

Mr. Speaker, I have taken responsibility for the erosion of trust between the former attorney general and my office. That is why it was important that the justice committee be able to hear key witnesses in regard to this matter. That is why we put forward an unprecedented waiver of cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege.The committee has been meeting for five weeks and Canadians got to hear all perspectives. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner continues to look into the matter. I have said from the start that the decisions related to the DPAs were always for the attorney general and the attorney general alone to make.

Mr. Speaker, our government stood firm on supply management even though the Americans wanted to dismantle it. We are currently working with three working groups, producers and processors to ensure that we find the right way to fully and fairly support them. We will also ensure that we have a vision for the future, so that future generations can be prosperous.

Mr. Speaker, what is always quite interesting is that when I get up to answer, the Conservatives do not let me speak. It is fascinating how they want people to be able to speak when it seems to be for political gain. That is not how we operate on this side of the chamber. We have confidence in the justice committee. It will do its important work. We know that the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is also doing its important work. We believe it should be able to.

Mr. Speaker, as my colleague knows, we are reviewing VIA Rail's proposal for a major project in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor. It is a massive project, but we have to do our homework. That is what we are doing. When we have something to say, we will let him know.

Mr. Speaker, we know that the government waived cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege so that the former minister could speak fully. We know that the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights are doing their work and asking questions. We know that the former attorney general testified for four hours and answered many questions. We saw them keep asking the same questions and get the same answers.We can also see that the member was reading a question given to her by the House Leader of the Official Opposition. She cannot ask her own questions. She has to do what her leader tells her to do.

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the foreign affairs minister. In her formal response to the OECD, the minister pledged to update it on the “independent domestic processes currently underway in Canada” on the SNC affair. How can she claim that the SNC investigation is independent, when Liberal MPs are preventing the former attorney general from testifying? The minister loves to talk about the international rules-based order, so will she live up to her own rhetoric and allow the former attorney general to testify tomorrow at the justice committee?

Mr. Speaker, members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights will do their work and make their own decisions. The committee has heard different views. All the facts are now public.The former minister appeared before the committee for nearly four hours. Waiving cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege means that all pertinent information can be shared with the committee. The former minister did just that. We know that the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights will do their work. We have confidence in the committee's work.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that the metal and mining industry is important for our economy and for our communities across the country, including many municipalities in Laurentides—Labelle. That is why our government is working hard to ensure that this industry continues to create jobs and generate economic growth. Could the minister tell the House how our government is focusing on innovation, the development of clean technologies and strengthening the regulatory framework to ensure that the exploration and mining sector is prosperous, resilient and sustainable?

Mr. Speaker, this week, we are taking a big step towards improving gender equality at home and at work with the introduction of the new parental sharing benefit.Thanks to the parental sharing benefit, parents across Canada will be able to share the work of raising their children more equally.Could the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development tell the House more about the new parental sharing benefit?

Mr. Speaker, what is clear is that we have regard and respect for the work that committees do. We have—

No, Mr. Speaker.

No, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we are learning that the government has entered into discussions with the U.S. to close the loophole in the safe third country agreement. The government has allowed thousands of illegal migrants to flood into Canada and has spent hundreds of millions of dollars, yet it has done nothing to resolve the issue. Why did the government allow the situation to deteriorate so badly before sitting down with the Americans to enforce our border laws?

Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for all members when I say that we are all shocked and saddened by news of the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. I know that the Prime Minister and I, along with other opposition leaders, will be making statements after question period, but I wanted to give the Prime Minister the opportunity to join with me now, and indeed all members, in expressing our profound sorrow for the victims and their families, while standing in solidarity with Muslims all over the world and condemning the hateful ideologies that promote violence and intolerance.

Mr. Speaker, six weeks ago, the Prime Minister denied that he attempted to interfere in a criminal trial. His excuses have evolved as evidence of political interference has accumulated, despite sycophantic stonewalling by Liberal members of the justice committee. Now the Prime Minister and senior staffers have lawyered up, on the public dime, in apparent anticipation of criminal investigation and possible prosecution.We are looking at unvarnished corruption here. Will the Prime Minister direct Liberal MPs to stop the cover-up at the justice committee tomorrow?

Mr. Speaker, Canadians across the country were appalled to learn of the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones in this terrible attack. To the people of New Zealand and Muslim communities in Canada and around the world, they are in our hearts and minds and we stand with them.I spoke with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern over the weekend to convey Canada's support through this difficult time, both as a government, as political institutions, and also from people to people. I also want to highlight that in regard to the Netherlands, our thoughts are with the residents as we learn more on the possible terrorist attack they have gone through this morning. We will be reaching out to counterparts to offer our support.

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister refuses to come clean about his interference in the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin. He is choosing instead to cover it up at every opportunity. It is clear that the Prime Minister interfered in a criminal trial to defend his friends and now he has hired lawyers to defend himself.Could the Prime Minister confirm if he or his staff has been contacted by the RCMP?

Mr. Speaker, three budgets and Canadians are still waiting for housing.Last Friday, I was in the streets with thousands of young people to protest against the government's serious lack of leadership on the climate crisis. They say that the time for talk, political rhetoric and half measures is over.Will the Prime Minister get rid of the carbon price exemption for major polluters?

Mr. Speaker, in 2017, we extended our military training mission in Ukraine, Operation Unifier, until 2019. Since then, 200 Canadian Armed Forces members have trained close to 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers, and Canada has been advising the country on NATO standard defence reforms. Can the Minister of National Defence update the House on how our government is standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in the face of Russian military aggression?

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, the Liberals will table their last budget before the election. This is the Liberals' last chance to be forgiven for all the times it has betrayed Quebec. They cut health transfers, wasted our money on dirty oil, abandoned our aerospace sector and failed our rural areas. The list is long, especially for our dairy producers, who were sold out three times in free trade agreements. It is their last chance.Will the government finally compensate in full our producers for the three breaches in supply management?

Mr. Speaker, where there is smoke, there is fire, and that fire is burning so fiercely in the Prime Minister's Office that they had to call in the firefighters. News surfaced this weekend that private-sector lawyers have been hired for the Prime Minister and cabinet members named in the cover-up.Rather than waste Canadian taxpayers' money, will the Prime Minister come clean tomorrow at the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights?Did the RCMP contact him or his office about political interference in criminal proceedings against SNC-Lavalin, yes or no?

Mr. Speaker, the former attorney general says the SNC scandal is a serious wake-up call, and the OECD says all alarms are sounding. This is serious. Canadians and our allies must be reassured that our rule of law is intact. We need the whole truth, not just the pieces the Prime Minister will allow us to hear.Tomorrow, Liberal members will determine the future of the investigation. Will the Prime Minister let the former attorney general speak tomorrow at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice?

Mr. Speaker, the Broadcasting Act has not been reviewed since before the Internet was in our homes. Why is that? It is because for 10 years, the Conservatives took no action on this.We have appointed a panel of experts to help modernize this act. Our starting point is clear. All players who participate in this system will pay. There will be no free ride.I know that my colleague, the Minister of Finance, is working with our allied countries to find a consensual approach to this.

Mr. Speaker, the minister expects us to have confidence in a justice committee that shuts down debate 20 minutes into a meeting, before a motion can even be debated. Now Liberals are throwing up the smokescreen of Anne McLellan. Anne McLellan served in cabinet with the Minister of Public Safety, the Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and the Minister of Veterans Affairs. She was a minister during the Liberal sponsorship scandal. That is going to make this go away?Why does the Prime Minister not lift the gag order tomorrow at the justice committee and let the former attorney general speak?

Mr. Speaker, the premise of made a little mistake, it is not the events of the last few weeks that led to the erosion of trust. It was the coordinated, unwanted and sustained campaign of political pressure on the former attorney general that eroded trust under his government. Other people have had the ability to come back to complete their testimony, but so far the Prime Minister is denying that right to the former attorney general. She wrote a letter saying that this matter was serious and that some questions remained unanswered. She can answer those questions if the Prime Minister lets her. Will he?

Mr. Speaker, environmental leaders do not buy pipelines.People are concerned about how easy it is for wealthy individuals to access the Prime Minister's Office. They are troubled by how the rich managed to get legislation passed through the back door. Worse still, the OECD's anti-bribery unit is concerned about possible political interference.Why is the Prime Minister so afraid to uncover the truth and launch a public inquiry?

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that they have not heard the whole truth when it comes to the Prime Minister's scandal.In a letter to her constituents, the former attorney general said that these matters were still unfolding and that further clarity and information were needed. She said that this matter was serious and some questions remain unanswered.Will the Prime Minister authorize her to appear again before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights tomorrow?

Mr. Speaker, Canada has had a stellar reputation as a founding member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Sadly, under the Liberal government, that reputation is being tarnished by the Prime Minister's conduct in the SNC-Lavalin affair, and the OECD bribery group is now investigating the Liberal government's actions. When will the Prime Minister recognize that Liberal corruption and stonewalling is harming Canada's international reputation?

So, Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's top adviser has resigned. His attorney general has resigned. His Treasury Board president has resigned. Now the head of the entire public service has resigned. No one did anything wrong, but everybody is resigning for it.We know something happened here, something bad enough that the former attorney general could no longer be part of the government at all, but she has not been able to tell us why. Will the Prime Minister join with us tomorrow morning at the justice committee to let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, there we have it. Liberals will investigate Liberals to get to the bottom of this affair: former Liberal cabinet minister Anne McLellan. Maybe Sheila Copps was not available. This is unbelievable and all for something that according to the Prime Minister was completely false. He said that none of these accusations were true. However, in order to prove that, he could do the right thing and let the former attorney general complete her testimony, starting tomorrow at the justice committee.

Mr. Speaker, the only job the Prime Minister is concerned about is his own.The OECD's anti-bribery unit is concerned about political interference and said this scandal set “all alarms sounding”.For Canadians watching at home, this does not look any different than when the Conservatives were in power: special access for powerful corporations, a closed door for everyone else.Why is the Prime Minister so afraid to launch a public inquiry?

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's attempt to interfere with the SNC-Lavalin bribery case has cost him his former attorney general, the President of the Treasury Board and the Clerk of the Privy Council. He is going to bring a Liberal back from the sponsorship days to make it all right. Who is coming up with these ideas? It is no wonder the OECD anti-bribery unit said this has set all the alarms ringing. This is like a five-alarm dumpster fire of political cronyism, incompetence and now obstruction. What is the Prime Minister so afraid of that he will not let the former attorney general speak her truth so Canadians can get to the bottom of this very tawdry scandal?

Mr. Speaker, the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights took the time to hear from witnesses who came to answer questions.We know that the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights have been studying this matter for five weeks now. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is also looking into this matter. We know that we can count on the work done by the committee and the Office of the Ethics Commissioner.

No, Mr. Speaker.

No, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the safe third country agreement was not working over a year ago. The U.S. is not a safe country for asylum seekers. Children continue to be separated from their parents. Gender-based violence is no longer recognized as a basis for asylum.The Prime Minister stated that the treatment of asylum seekers by the U.S. was wrong, but instead of suspending the agreement, the Liberals are looking to expand it and apply it to those crossing into Canada irregularly. Is this what a Liberal feminist government looks like, denying women fleeing domestic violence the right to make an asylum claim?

Mr. Speaker, last week at the justice committee emergency meeting, Liberal MPs shut down debate on the PMO's interference scandal. Tomorrow, Liberals intend to hold a meeting out of the public eye, behind closed doors. They keep telling Canadians there is nothing to see here, that it is just procedural. The fact is that the former attorney generalwants to tell her whole truth, but the Prime Minister refuses to let Canadians hear it. This is a deliberate obstruction of justice. Canadians deserve the truth. Will the Prime Minister do the right thing and allow the former attorney general to speak her whole truth for Canadians to hear—yes or no?

Mr. Speaker, it is these Liberals who are eroding Canadians' confidence in their institutions, and Anne McLellan is not an institution. She is a former Liberal minister who was there during the sponsorship scandal.The former attorney general has made it clear that she has more to say. The Prime Minister is standing in her way, blocking her from completing her testimony.Will he stop being so afraid of what she has to say, remove the gag order and let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, due to a glitch in CPP payments that started in 2009, for 10 years both the Conservative and Liberal governments overpaid seniors, and now they are telling these seniors that they have to pay it back. Seniors might have even been unaware of the overpayment. It could also mean that they paid higher taxes. Paying these amounts back will impact seniors, the most vulnerable seniors, who are on or below the poverty line in this country. Can the current government explain to the people of Canada what it is going to do to make sure that seniors are not overburdened with paperwork and that the most vulnerable are not paying, with so few resources?

Mr. Speaker, I know the Conservatives have never let the facts get in the way, but it is important that Canadians be reminded of them. It was actually the Prime Minister and this government that waived solicitor-client privilege and waived cabinet confidence so the former attorney general could appear. It was justice committee members who asked that the clerk appear, asked the former attorney general to appear and asked for other witnesses to appear. Those people have been appearing. We also know that the justice committee has been now sitting for five weeks. We know that the former attorney general appeared for over four hours and answered a series of questions, which, by the end, were quite repetitive.

Mr. Speaker, our agenda on helping middle-class Canadians has started helping seniors. In budget 2016, we introduced an enhancement to the guaranteed income supplement, which is helping to lift 75,000 seniors out of poverty. We have also introduced an enhancement to the Canada pension plan, a historic enhancement, which we had not seen for many decades. We are working very hard to make sure that all vulnerable seniors receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Prime Minister.The former attorney general of Canada confirmed that the Prime Minister and his staff subjected her to consistent and sustained political pressure to end criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin. The Prime Minister has retained the services of a lawyer to defend him against potential criminal charges. If he really wants to get to the bottom of what happened, he can waive solicitor-client privilege and allow the former attorney general to say everything she wants to say.When will he do that?

Mr. Speaker, we on this side have regard and respect for the work that committees do. We have respect for officers of Parliament. We know that the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is actually looking into this matter. We know that there are two ongoing court cases.From what we just heard from the member opposite, it is clear that Conservatives will continue to undermine our institutions.The former attorney general appeared at committee. Something she said is that Canadians can have confidence in their institutions and that the rule of law was followed.

Mr. Speaker, as my colleague knows, we are reviewing VIA Rail's proposal for a major project in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor. It is a massive project, but we have to do our homework. That is what we are doing. When we have something to say, we will let him know.

Mr. Speaker, on at least four separate occasions at the justice committee, the former attorney general said that she could not talk about something because of privilege restrictions. She could not talk about why she left cabinet, even though the Prime Minister, Gerry Butts and the Clerk of the Privy Council all did. To add insult to injury, the Liberals on the justice committee are clearly nothing more than PMO puppets who are part of this cover-up.The justice committee meets tomorrow morning. Will the Prime Minister finally remove all the restrictions and let the former attorney general speak at the justice committee?

Mr. Speaker, for many years, governments of different political strips failed to take action. Now, our government is implementing concrete measures to fight climate change.We have put a price on pollution. We launched a historic plan to protect our oceans, our land and our marine areas. We have made record investments in renewable energy and in greener solutions for our businesses and entrepreneurs. We will continue to believe that the only way to protect the environment is to create economic growth at the same time, and that is what we are going to do.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Laurentides—Labelle for his hard work.Our government is supporting the minerals sector by extending the mineral exploration tax credit for five years, by investing in innovation and by fixing the broken review process for mines and other major projects. Now our new Canadian minerals and metals plan will ensure the sector continues to create good middle-class jobs for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is right. Canadians should have confidence in their institutions, but it is his actions and those around him that have eroded that confidence.Remember that on February 7, the Prime Minister said that all these allegations were completely false. We then saw two ministers resign on principle. Then his former principal secretary, Gerald Butts, had to resign in disgrace. Today, the Clerk of the Privy Council had to do the exact same thing.If the Prime Minister wants to restore confidence, he can let the former attorney general complete her testimony, starting tomorrow at the justice committee.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, she did appear and the Conservative deputy leader asked her this, “Can you tell us why you've resigned from cabinet?” The answer was, “I cannot”. The reason is that the Prime Minister kept in a gag order for the period after he moved her out of the position of attorney general. During that period, she witnessed events so egregious she thought it merited her resignation from cabinet altogether. If the Prime Minister has nothing to hide, tomorrow morning he will show up at the justice committee and have his members vote in favour of letting her speak. Will he?

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the foreign affairs minister. In her formal response to the OECD, the minister pledged to update it on the “independent domestic processes currently underway in Canada” on the SNC affair. How can she claim that the SNC investigation is independent, when Liberal MPs are preventing the former attorney general from testifying? The minister loves to talk about the international rules-based order, so will she live up to her own rhetoric and allow the former attorney general to testify tomorrow at the justice committee?

Mr. Speaker, I will try this again. There are members of Parliament from both sides who sit on committees. When it comes to our members, they make their decisions, and they know how to proceed. What they do know is that members have been appearing. It was actually this Prime Minister and this government that waived solicitor-client privilege as well as cabinet confidence to ensure that the former attorney general and minister of justice could appear at committee and share what she needed to share.We know that she was there for over four hours. We know that the questions got asked. She was able to answer them. We also know that the questions were quite repetitive.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians see what is going on. They know that the right to speak was cut off after January 14, but that the former attorney general should have the right to talk about what happened during a period of time between January 14 and February 12. There is a lot of information that is critical to this case.Will the Prime Minister allow the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights to have the former attorney general come back to testify?

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart burdened with the painful memory of the terrorist attack perpetrated in my community in Quebec City on January 29, 2017, that I seek the unanimous consent of the House regarding the following motion to support the people of New Zealand: I move: That the House, (i) condemns the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand; (ii) extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones; (iii) expresses solidarity with the people of New Zealand and Muslim communities in Canada and around the world; (iv) affirms the need to confront hatred, Islamophobia, and white supremacy, in all their forms; and (v) commits to working to create a world where all people, no matter their faith, can feel supported and safe.

Mr. Speaker, on this side we will focus on the facts. The government gave unprecedented waiver for a former minister to speak fully and in detail. The waiver covers the former attorney general's entire term. It covers the whole period during which allegations have been made.The committee is doing its important work. The Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is doing its work. We know there are two ongoing investigations.I am not surprised that the Conservatives would play their traditional game of smearing names. Maybe we should reach out to Jay Hill and find out how to undermine the work of committees. That was the Conservative way.

Mr. Speaker, it is clear to everyone watching that the justice committee is controlled by the Prime Minister's Office through the Liberal members on that committee.Today, we just heard that the Prime Minister is going to be asking his Liberal friend Anne McLellan to apparently investigate. I guess his Liberal friends Gerry Butts, Kathleen Wynne and Sheila Copps were busy. We do not need any Liberals investigating Liberals. What we need to have is the former attorney general being allowed to speak and to give her whole story. Will the Prime Minister let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights will do their work and make their own decisions. The committee has heard different views. All the facts are now public.The former minister appeared before the committee for nearly four hours. Waiving cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege means that all pertinent information can be shared with the committee. The former minister did just that. We know that the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights will do their work. We have confidence in the committee's work.

Mr. Speaker, what is clear is that we have regard and respect for the work that committees do. We have—

Mr. Speaker, speaking of not having a plan, more than 150,000 students in Quebec went on strike on Friday to call for action on climate change. They are calling on governments to take action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. They are sounding the alarm because the government is getting further and further away from its greenhouse gas reduction targets every year.Will the Prime Minister eliminate subsidies for the oil and gas industries?Will he show some political courage by proposing measures to reduce pollution and investing in renewable energy, or will students have to jeopardize their education to get their message across?

Mr. Speaker, over 150,000 students demonstrated in Montreal last Friday.Thousands more walked in almost every town and city in Canada, with students saying that we were stealing their future and they wanted to take it back. One sign in Victoria, where hundreds and hundreds of kids were marching, said that the kids were the only adults in the room.When will the government get rid of the Harper target to extinction and bring in place a target that takes us to survival?

Mr. Speaker, we are still waiting for answers on the SNC-Lavalin scandal. It is high time Canadians got the whole truth.The former attorney general must be allowed to speak her whole truth. In her March 14 letter, she clearly reiterated that recent events have been a wake-up call for many across the country, and further clarity and information are needed. Will the Liberal members on the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights back off and agree to let her appear at committee tomorrow morning?

Mr. Speaker, imagine that, she was there for about four and a half hours. She was allowed to speak, yet she told us and all Canadians that she has more to say, that her testimony has not been made complete.My question is very simple. Canadians want a full story. They want to understand the full picture here. They do not see why the government is shutting down the justice committee and not allowing the former attorney general to speak. Parliament belongs to Canadians. They deserve answers. Will the Prime Minister end the cover-up and let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has been clear on every occasion that the decision that is being discussed was for the former attorney general to take. It is clear that the decision that the former attorney general took remains in place. We also know on this side that committees can do their important work. We see that the NDP now have the same talking points as the Conservatives, and they look for direction from their leader as to what to do at committee and what not to do. That is not the approach of this side. This Prime Minister and this government respect the work of members who sit on the committee. We will let them do their important work.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to have faith in their institutions and the people who serve in them. The events of the last few weeks have raised important questions about the relationship between the federal government and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.Today I am announcing that the Hon. Anne McLellan will serve as special adviser to examine these question and make independent recommendations. As a former minister of justice and attorney general and deputy prime minister, she has a unique understanding of these roles. Her work will help—

Mr. Speaker, the government gave an unprecedented waiver for the former minister to speak fully and in detail. Nothing related to this matter was off limits. The waiver covered the former attorney general's entire term and covers the entire period for which allegations have been made. Since 1987, there have only been four similar instances where cabinet confidence was waived and none of those included solicitor-client privilege. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner continues his important work and we have appointed the Hon. Anne McLellan as special adviser—

Mr. Speaker, we have confidence in the members who sit on the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. We know that they can do their job. They must do their job.The government gave an unprecedented waiver of cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege so that the former minister could speak fully. Since 1987, there have only been four instances where cabinet confidence was waived, and none of those included solicitor-client privilege. We will do so because we know that Canadians must hear her. This is exactly why the former attorney general was there.

Mr. Speaker, now the Prime Minister is bringing in a politician from the era of the Liberal ad scam to investigate today's Liberal “Lav” scam. However, Anne McLellan is a bit busy right now. In fact, on March 31, people can meet with her if they donate to the Liberal Party and attend a fundraiser. I guess that is where they will discuss this independent investigation.I have a better idea. Tomorrow the justice committee will meet in the morning to decide whether to bring back the former attorney general to complete her testimony. Will the Prime Minister let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, our government stood firm on supply management even though the Americans wanted to dismantle it. We are currently working with three working groups, producers and processors to ensure that we find the right way to fully and fairly support them. We will also ensure that we have a vision for the future, so that future generations can be prosperous.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect and deserve to have faith in the institutions and the people who serve in them. The events of the last few weeks have raised important questions about the relationship between the federal government and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. I am therefore announcing that the Hon. Anne McLellan will serve as special adviser to examine these questions and provide independent recommendations to us. As former minister of justice and attorney general and deputy prime minister, she is uniquely suited for this role. Her work will be another important step toward maintaining Canadians' confidence in their institutions.

Mr. Speaker, we know that the government waived cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege so that the former minister could speak fully. We know that the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights are doing their work and asking questions. We know that the former attorney general testified for four hours and answered many questions. We saw them keep asking the same questions and get the same answers.We can also see that the member was reading a question given to her by the House Leader of the Official Opposition. She cannot ask her own questions. She has to do what her leader tells her to do.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Etobicoke Centre for his tireless advocacy for the people of Ukraine. He knows our government's support for Ukraine is unwavering. Today we announced the renewal of our military training and co-operation mission in Ukraine for an additional three years, until March 2022. This mission is a key part of Canada's whole-of-government approach to supporting Ukraine. We want a strong, stable and sovereign Ukraine, and we are helping Ukrainians achieve that goal. We stand with the people of Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate all the young people who marched across Canada and around the world to support climate action just last week. The irony is not lost on me that while students were striking for climate action, the Ford government in Ontario was actually touring university campuses to fight action on climate change. In answer to the member's question, we are taking action to reduce emissions. We are putting a price on pollution that is going to make life more affordable and bring our emissions down. Our electricity is going to be 90% clean by 2030. We are making the largest investment in Canada's history in public transit.These are real measures that are going to impact climate change. They are going to make a difference for Canadians for generations.

Mr. Speaker, climate change is real and the cost of inaction is enormous. For the young Canadians who marched on Friday, we hear them. We are taking action to put a price on pollution, to phase out coal and to keep our oceans and communities clean. Unlike the Conservatives who want to make pollution free again and have no plan for the environment, our government has a serious plan to fight climate change. Our plan will create a cleaner, more prosperous future for our kids and our grandkids.

Mr. Speaker, as we all know, our media industry is going through an unprecedented crisis. Last year, the government promised a tax credit and other measures to support Canadian journalism. A few announcements were made, but since then, there has been radio silence. The government issued a news release, but it has not provided any money or anything concrete. Now, rumour has it that the government is planning to delay all this until just after the election. Funnily enough, Facebook and Google have no trouble securing a meeting with the Prime Minister or a massive tax break. Meanwhile, our media industry is crumbling, and thousands of Canadian jobs are at risk. How many more years will the media have to wait?

Mr. Speaker, the committee has heard from all perspectives. It was this Prime Minister and this government that actually made sure that cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege were removed so that the former attorney general could appear. The opposition House leader recognizes that the former attorney general did appear. We know there were four hours of questioning—twice. We know that she was able to share her perspectives. More importantly, these conversations took place in public so that Canadians could also be able to hear what took place. That member should know how committees operate. It is unfortunate that the Conservatives have no regard for committees.

Mr. Speaker, I have taken responsibility for the erosion of trust between the former attorney general and my office. That is why it was important that the justice committee be able to hear key witnesses in regard to this matter. That is why we put forward an unprecedented waiver of cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege.The committee has been meeting for five weeks and Canadians got to hear all perspectives. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner continues to look into the matter. I have said from the start that the decisions related to the DPAs were always for the attorney general and the attorney general alone to make.

Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by expressing our solidarity with the people of New Zealand who are mourning the attack on Muslim brothers and sisters at the masjid in Christchurch.I met a mom in Burnaby. She bought a home, but cannot afford to live there anymore. Her daughter has a good job, but only gets by because she lives in the basement. Her son does not see a future. Like too many Canadians, he has lost all hope.However, the Prime Minister is telling families like hers to wait for help. I believe that better is possible. Will the government commit to building half a million new affordable homes?

Mr. Speaker, I know Canadians would have more confidence in our system if the Prime Minister would just let the former attorney general speak.The SNC-Lavalin scandal has yet again shone a light on the government's ethical failures. The former attorney general's testimony detailed grossly inappropriate actions taken by the Prime Minister and his inner circle. However, this was not even her full story. The Prime Minister continues to refuse to let her speak fully and freely. Canadians deserve to hear the rest of her story.If the Prime Minister has nothing to hide, will he allow Liberal members on the justice committee to let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, as I have said, this government gave an unprecedented waiver for the former minister to speak fully and in detail. The Prime Minister and this government waived solicitor-client privilege as well as cabinet confidence. Since 1987, there have only been four times when that has happened, and none included solicitor-client privilege.One of those times was under Stephen Harper. It is interesting that the member now talks about how committees operate. It is clear that he is projecting, because he knows that Stephen Harper used to tell them what to do.We on this side have confidence in our members who sit on the justice committee. We know that they can do their work fully independently of this place.

Mr. Speaker, for the Prime Minister, the SNC-Lavalin saga is turning into an outright corruption scandal, the likes of which have never been seen in Canada. A prime minister who refuses to accept the decision of his own country's attorney general and even refuses to allow her to immediately explain why no longer deserves to govern.We have even learned that the Prime Minister has hired outside lawyers to prepare his defence. Why is the Prime Minister preparing his defence? Will he stop hiding the truth from Canadians?

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that the metal and mining industry is important for our economy and for our communities across the country, including many municipalities in Laurentides—Labelle. That is why our government is working hard to ensure that this industry continues to create jobs and generate economic growth. Could the minister tell the House how our government is focusing on innovation, the development of clean technologies and strengthening the regulatory framework to ensure that the exploration and mining sector is prosperous, resilient and sustainable?

Mr. Speaker, I do actually want to start by thanking Mr. Wernick for his decades of service to this country, his 37 years of service to this country. We know that when it comes to our public service, we have the best public servants in the whole wide world, and they serve our country well. When it comes to members who sit on the justice committee, we have confidence that they will do their important work.That member might choose to use name-calling, or whatever approach, but we know that the justice committee can do its work. We know that officers of Parliament should be able to do their work. We believe in and support the independence of the judicial system. We will focus on Canadians, while they focus on tactics.

Mr. Speaker, unlike the NDP apparently, we will always stand up to protect workers and businesses across this country.We know that there are good jobs in various industries across the country, and these workers deserve to be protected. That is why we are so pleased to point out that we have created nearly 950,000 jobs over the past three years. We will continue to create more.We will always stand up to protect our workers, all Canadians and good jobs across the country. We will always do that. We will not apologize for standing up for jobs.

Mr. Speaker, if that member were more concerned about actually seeing what is taking place at committee instead of worrying about sign-outs, maybe he would see that the committee has actually been doing its important work. It has been studying this matter for over five weeks. There has been a series of witnesses who have appeared. We have confidence that the committee can do its important work.Additionally, the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is looking into this matter. We believe that officers of Parliament are independent of this place and should be able to do this work. We also know that there is an ongoing court case. We believe in the independence of the judiciary. We will not undermine them like the Conservatives continue to do.

Mr. Speaker, this week, we are taking a big step towards improving gender equality at home and at work with the introduction of the new parental sharing benefit.Thanks to the parental sharing benefit, parents across Canada will be able to share the work of raising their children more equally.Could the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development tell the House more about the new parental sharing benefit?

Mr. Speaker, exactly as that member has asked, I would like to reassure Canadians and international partners that the rule of law is intact in Canada.I would like to reassure Canadians that they can have trust and faith in our democratic institutions. It is the justice committee that is doing its important work, and it continues to do so. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is studying this matter. We know that they will do their important work.We know that there are two ongoing investigations, courts cases. We know that we can have confidence in the independence of our judicial system. We have confidence, and Canadians can too.

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear that people who come to Canada seeking our protection are overwhelmingly families and children. When they enter the country, regardless of how they enter, if they make a claim for asylum, they are entitled under Canadian law to a fair hearing, due process and our protection until a determination of their eligibility is made. We have been working very closely with our counterparts in the United States to ensure that the bilateral agreement that exists between us operates fairly and efficiently to encourage people to cross at regular points of entry to maintain the security and the integrity of our borders. We will continue with that important work.

Mr. Speaker, Canada and the United States have the most secure and efficient border in the world. The safe third country agreement remains an important tool for us to continue to work together on the orderly processing of asylum claims made in both our countries. We know that this agreement can be improved, and I have personally met with members of the U.S. Congress, border protection agencies and the Department of Homeland Security, because we believe that there are opportunities to improve this agreement to the mutual benefit of both countries and our citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I do indeed love to talk about the international rules-based order, because that is absolutely essential to the defence of the Canadian national interest in the world.When it comes to the OECD, Canada is proud of our participation in this important organization. We have been clear from the start with the OECD that we support its work and will co-operate with it fully.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the Conservative Party cannot understand that when it comes to members who sit on committees, they are capable of making their own decisions. Members who sit on the justice committee know that this file has been with the justice committee for five weeks, and they have been able to hear from all perspectives. Members also know that they have been able to ask questions. Witnesses have appeared and answered those questions.When it comes to the former attorney general, we know that the Prime Minister waived solicitor-client privilege. We know that he waived cabinet confidence. That is something that was unheard of under the Conservatives.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that that member recognize that when it comes to the rule of law in Canada, it is intact, and it is being followed. We also know that in Canada, we have institutions and officers of Parliament who are able to do their work. We know that the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is looking into this matter. We have confidence that they are able to do that important work, something the Conservatives did not understand for 10 years. It is clear that they do not seem to comprehend that now. We know that there is an ongoing court case. We will let the independent judicial system do its important work, because we know that it should.

Mr. Speaker, again, we have confidence in the work members of Parliament who sit on the justice committee will do. We know that they are capable of it. We know that the Prime Minister has taken responsibility for the breakdown in trust and communication within his office. We know that he has committed to finding a better way forward, because that is exactly what it is.When it comes to the Conservatives, it is interesting. They talk about what Canadians want. Canadians want an economy that works for them so that they can work and be able to contribute. Canadians want a clean, greener future for their kids and grandkids. That is what we are delivering. The Conservatives continue to have no plan and play their tactics.

Mr. Speaker, since our first day in office, we have consistently stood up for Canadians, defended workers and created good jobs right across the country. Indeed, Canadians have created close to 950,000 good new jobs right across the country over three and a half years, because this government remains focused on creating opportunities for workers, opportunities for Canadians.We are of course going to make sure that we continue to maintain the trust and confidence that Canadians have in their institutions and we are happy to answer all of the various questions going on, but we will continue to stand up for jobs.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank and commend the member for Vaughan—Woodbridge for his amazing work.The government clearly understands that gender equality is good for Canadians and also for the economy.That is why we have introduced a new parental sharing benefit, which is giving parents five more weeks to spend with their children. That is why, with investments in early learning and child care, with investments in the historic Canada child benefit, we are giving more money to parents to spend on their children and more time for them to spend with their children.

Mr. Speaker, from spurring economic development to reducing greenhouse gases, the virtues of the VIA Rail high-frequency train proposal are well known.One year ago today, the Minister of Transport promised us an answer before the end of the year, but we have no answer yet. It looks like high-frequency rail will end up being just an election promise, not one of this government's accomplishments. If the Minister of Infrastructure can announce a $1-billion investment in light rail projects in Edmonton, why can the Minister of Transport not do anything for Canada's most densely populated corridor?

Mr. Speaker, what is always quite interesting is that when I get up to answer, the Conservatives do not let me speak. It is fascinating how they want people to be able to speak when it seems to be for political gain. That is not how we operate on this side of the chamber. We have confidence in the justice committee. It will do its important work. We know that the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is also doing its important work. We believe it should be able to.

Mr. Speaker, we have committees in which parliamentarians and members of Parliament sit. The justice committee is the committee the member refers to. It is doing its important work, and we believe it should be able to.It was this Prime Minister—

Mr. Speaker, I will take this occasion to first congratulate and welcome the new member for Burnaby South to the House. I know that he, like every member of this place, will aim to best represent and serve Canadians and his constituents. I hope he and his party will support the work our government has done to lift hundreds of thousands of children across the country out of poverty. We lowered taxes for the middle class and raised them on the wealthiest 1%. We indeed ended boil water advisories in so many communities across the country with more to do. These are the things we will continue to work on and we look forward to his support in creating a better and fairer Canada for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, I will take this occasion to first congratulate and welcome the new member for Burnaby South to the House. I know that he, like every member of this place, will aim to best represent and serve Canadians and his constituents. I hope he and his party will support the work our government has done to lift hundreds of thousands of children across the country out of poverty. We lowered taxes for the middle class and raised them on the wealthiest 1%. We indeed ended boil water advisories in so many communities across the country with more to do. These are the things we will continue to work on and we look forward to his support in creating a better and fairer Canada for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, we have committees in which parliamentarians and members of Parliament sit. The justice committee is the committee the member refers to. It is doing its important work, and we believe it should be able to.It was this Prime Minister—

Mr. Speaker, what is always quite interesting is that when I get up to answer, the Conservatives do not let me speak. It is fascinating how they want people to be able to speak when it seems to be for political gain. That is not how we operate on this side of the chamber. We have confidence in the justice committee. It will do its important work. We know that the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is also doing its important work. We believe it should be able to.

Mr. Speaker, from spurring economic development to reducing greenhouse gases, the virtues of the VIA Rail high-frequency train proposal are well known.One year ago today, the Minister of Transport promised us an answer before the end of the year, but we have no answer yet. It looks like high-frequency rail will end up being just an election promise, not one of this government's accomplishments. If the Minister of Infrastructure can announce a $1-billion investment in light rail projects in Edmonton, why can the Minister of Transport not do anything for Canada's most densely populated corridor?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank and commend the member for Vaughan—Woodbridge for his amazing work.The government clearly understands that gender equality is good for Canadians and also for the economy.That is why we have introduced a new parental sharing benefit, which is giving parents five more weeks to spend with their children. That is why, with investments in early learning and child care, with investments in the historic Canada child benefit, we are giving more money to parents to spend on their children and more time for them to spend with their children.

Mr. Speaker, since our first day in office, we have consistently stood up for Canadians, defended workers and created good jobs right across the country. Indeed, Canadians have created close to 950,000 good new jobs right across the country over three and a half years, because this government remains focused on creating opportunities for workers, opportunities for Canadians.We are of course going to make sure that we continue to maintain the trust and confidence that Canadians have in their institutions and we are happy to answer all of the various questions going on, but we will continue to stand up for jobs.

Mr. Speaker, again, we have confidence in the work members of Parliament who sit on the justice committee will do. We know that they are capable of it. We know that the Prime Minister has taken responsibility for the breakdown in trust and communication within his office. We know that he has committed to finding a better way forward, because that is exactly what it is.When it comes to the Conservatives, it is interesting. They talk about what Canadians want. Canadians want an economy that works for them so that they can work and be able to contribute. Canadians want a clean, greener future for their kids and grandkids. That is what we are delivering. The Conservatives continue to have no plan and play their tactics.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that that member recognize that when it comes to the rule of law in Canada, it is intact, and it is being followed. We also know that in Canada, we have institutions and officers of Parliament who are able to do their work. We know that the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is looking into this matter. We have confidence that they are able to do that important work, something the Conservatives did not understand for 10 years. It is clear that they do not seem to comprehend that now. We know that there is an ongoing court case. We will let the independent judicial system do its important work, because we know that it should.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the Conservative Party cannot understand that when it comes to members who sit on committees, they are capable of making their own decisions. Members who sit on the justice committee know that this file has been with the justice committee for five weeks, and they have been able to hear from all perspectives. Members also know that they have been able to ask questions. Witnesses have appeared and answered those questions.When it comes to the former attorney general, we know that the Prime Minister waived solicitor-client privilege. We know that he waived cabinet confidence. That is something that was unheard of under the Conservatives.

Mr. Speaker, Canada and the United States have the most secure and efficient border in the world. The safe third country agreement remains an important tool for us to continue to work together on the orderly processing of asylum claims made in both our countries. We know that this agreement can be improved, and I have personally met with members of the U.S. Congress, border protection agencies and the Department of Homeland Security, because we believe that there are opportunities to improve this agreement to the mutual benefit of both countries and our citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I do indeed love to talk about the international rules-based order, because that is absolutely essential to the defence of the Canadian national interest in the world.When it comes to the OECD, Canada is proud of our participation in this important organization. We have been clear from the start with the OECD that we support its work and will co-operate with it fully.

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear that people who come to Canada seeking our protection are overwhelmingly families and children. When they enter the country, regardless of how they enter, if they make a claim for asylum, they are entitled under Canadian law to a fair hearing, due process and our protection until a determination of their eligibility is made. We have been working very closely with our counterparts in the United States to ensure that the bilateral agreement that exists between us operates fairly and efficiently to encourage people to cross at regular points of entry to maintain the security and the integrity of our borders. We will continue with that important work.

Mr. Speaker, exactly as that member has asked, I would like to reassure Canadians and international partners that the rule of law is intact in Canada.I would like to reassure Canadians that they can have trust and faith in our democratic institutions. It is the justice committee that is doing its important work, and it continues to do so. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is studying this matter. We know that they will do their important work.We know that there are two ongoing investigations, courts cases. We know that we can have confidence in the independence of our judicial system. We have confidence, and Canadians can too.

Mr. Speaker, this week, we are taking a big step towards improving gender equality at home and at work with the introduction of the new parental sharing benefit.Thanks to the parental sharing benefit, parents across Canada will be able to share the work of raising their children more equally.Could the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development tell the House more about the new parental sharing benefit?

Mr. Speaker, unlike the NDP apparently, we will always stand up to protect workers and businesses across this country.We know that there are good jobs in various industries across the country, and these workers deserve to be protected. That is why we are so pleased to point out that we have created nearly 950,000 jobs over the past three years. We will continue to create more.We will always stand up to protect our workers, all Canadians and good jobs across the country. We will always do that. We will not apologize for standing up for jobs.

Mr. Speaker, if that member were more concerned about actually seeing what is taking place at committee instead of worrying about sign-outs, maybe he would see that the committee has actually been doing its important work. It has been studying this matter for over five weeks. There has been a series of witnesses who have appeared. We have confidence that the committee can do its important work.Additionally, the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is looking into this matter. We believe that officers of Parliament are independent of this place and should be able to do this work. We also know that there is an ongoing court case. We believe in the independence of the judiciary. We will not undermine them like the Conservatives continue to do.

Mr. Speaker, I do actually want to start by thanking Mr. Wernick for his decades of service to this country, his 37 years of service to this country. We know that when it comes to our public service, we have the best public servants in the whole wide world, and they serve our country well. When it comes to members who sit on the justice committee, we have confidence that they will do their important work.That member might choose to use name-calling, or whatever approach, but we know that the justice committee can do its work. We know that officers of Parliament should be able to do their work. We believe in and support the independence of the judicial system. We will focus on Canadians, while they focus on tactics.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that the metal and mining industry is important for our economy and for our communities across the country, including many municipalities in Laurentides—Labelle. That is why our government is working hard to ensure that this industry continues to create jobs and generate economic growth. Could the minister tell the House how our government is focusing on innovation, the development of clean technologies and strengthening the regulatory framework to ensure that the exploration and mining sector is prosperous, resilient and sustainable?

Mr. Speaker, for the Prime Minister, the SNC-Lavalin saga is turning into an outright corruption scandal, the likes of which have never been seen in Canada. A prime minister who refuses to accept the decision of his own country's attorney general and even refuses to allow her to immediately explain why no longer deserves to govern.We have even learned that the Prime Minister has hired outside lawyers to prepare his defence. Why is the Prime Minister preparing his defence? Will he stop hiding the truth from Canadians?

Mr. Speaker, as I have said, this government gave an unprecedented waiver for the former minister to speak fully and in detail. The Prime Minister and this government waived solicitor-client privilege as well as cabinet confidence. Since 1987, there have only been four times when that has happened, and none included solicitor-client privilege.One of those times was under Stephen Harper. It is interesting that the member now talks about how committees operate. It is clear that he is projecting, because he knows that Stephen Harper used to tell them what to do.We on this side have confidence in our members who sit on the justice committee. We know that they can do their work fully independently of this place.

Mr. Speaker, I know Canadians would have more confidence in our system if the Prime Minister would just let the former attorney general speak.The SNC-Lavalin scandal has yet again shone a light on the government's ethical failures. The former attorney general's testimony detailed grossly inappropriate actions taken by the Prime Minister and his inner circle. However, this was not even her full story. The Prime Minister continues to refuse to let her speak fully and freely. Canadians deserve to hear the rest of her story.If the Prime Minister has nothing to hide, will he allow Liberal members on the justice committee to let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by expressing our solidarity with the people of New Zealand who are mourning the attack on Muslim brothers and sisters at the masjid in Christchurch.I met a mom in Burnaby. She bought a home, but cannot afford to live there anymore. Her daughter has a good job, but only gets by because she lives in the basement. Her son does not see a future. Like too many Canadians, he has lost all hope.However, the Prime Minister is telling families like hers to wait for help. I believe that better is possible. Will the government commit to building half a million new affordable homes?

Mr. Speaker, I have taken responsibility for the erosion of trust between the former attorney general and my office. That is why it was important that the justice committee be able to hear key witnesses in regard to this matter. That is why we put forward an unprecedented waiver of cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege.The committee has been meeting for five weeks and Canadians got to hear all perspectives. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner continues to look into the matter. I have said from the start that the decisions related to the DPAs were always for the attorney general and the attorney general alone to make.

Mr. Speaker, the committee has heard from all perspectives. It was this Prime Minister and this government that actually made sure that cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege were removed so that the former attorney general could appear. The opposition House leader recognizes that the former attorney general did appear. We know there were four hours of questioning—twice. We know that she was able to share her perspectives. More importantly, these conversations took place in public so that Canadians could also be able to hear what took place. That member should know how committees operate. It is unfortunate that the Conservatives have no regard for committees.

Mr. Speaker, as we all know, our media industry is going through an unprecedented crisis. Last year, the government promised a tax credit and other measures to support Canadian journalism. A few announcements were made, but since then, there has been radio silence. The government issued a news release, but it has not provided any money or anything concrete. Now, rumour has it that the government is planning to delay all this until just after the election. Funnily enough, Facebook and Google have no trouble securing a meeting with the Prime Minister or a massive tax break. Meanwhile, our media industry is crumbling, and thousands of Canadian jobs are at risk. How many more years will the media have to wait?

Mr. Speaker, climate change is real and the cost of inaction is enormous. For the young Canadians who marched on Friday, we hear them. We are taking action to put a price on pollution, to phase out coal and to keep our oceans and communities clean. Unlike the Conservatives who want to make pollution free again and have no plan for the environment, our government has a serious plan to fight climate change. Our plan will create a cleaner, more prosperous future for our kids and our grandkids.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate all the young people who marched across Canada and around the world to support climate action just last week. The irony is not lost on me that while students were striking for climate action, the Ford government in Ontario was actually touring university campuses to fight action on climate change. In answer to the member's question, we are taking action to reduce emissions. We are putting a price on pollution that is going to make life more affordable and bring our emissions down. Our electricity is going to be 90% clean by 2030. We are making the largest investment in Canada's history in public transit.These are real measures that are going to impact climate change. They are going to make a difference for Canadians for generations.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Etobicoke Centre for his tireless advocacy for the people of Ukraine. He knows our government's support for Ukraine is unwavering. Today we announced the renewal of our military training and co-operation mission in Ukraine for an additional three years, until March 2022. This mission is a key part of Canada's whole-of-government approach to supporting Ukraine. We want a strong, stable and sovereign Ukraine, and we are helping Ukrainians achieve that goal. We stand with the people of Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, we know that the government waived cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege so that the former minister could speak fully. We know that the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights are doing their work and asking questions. We know that the former attorney general testified for four hours and answered many questions. We saw them keep asking the same questions and get the same answers.We can also see that the member was reading a question given to her by the House Leader of the Official Opposition. She cannot ask her own questions. She has to do what her leader tells her to do.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect and deserve to have faith in the institutions and the people who serve in them. The events of the last few weeks have raised important questions about the relationship between the federal government and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. I am therefore announcing that the Hon. Anne McLellan will serve as special adviser to examine these questions and provide independent recommendations to us. As former minister of justice and attorney general and deputy prime minister, she is uniquely suited for this role. Her work will be another important step toward maintaining Canadians' confidence in their institutions.

Mr. Speaker, our government stood firm on supply management even though the Americans wanted to dismantle it. We are currently working with three working groups, producers and processors to ensure that we find the right way to fully and fairly support them. We will also ensure that we have a vision for the future, so that future generations can be prosperous.

Mr. Speaker, now the Prime Minister is bringing in a politician from the era of the Liberal ad scam to investigate today's Liberal “Lav” scam. However, Anne McLellan is a bit busy right now. In fact, on March 31, people can meet with her if they donate to the Liberal Party and attend a fundraiser. I guess that is where they will discuss this independent investigation.I have a better idea. Tomorrow the justice committee will meet in the morning to decide whether to bring back the former attorney general to complete her testimony. Will the Prime Minister let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, we have confidence in the members who sit on the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. We know that they can do their job. They must do their job.The government gave an unprecedented waiver of cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege so that the former minister could speak fully. Since 1987, there have only been four instances where cabinet confidence was waived, and none of those included solicitor-client privilege. We will do so because we know that Canadians must hear her. This is exactly why the former attorney general was there.

Mr. Speaker, the government gave an unprecedented waiver for the former minister to speak fully and in detail. Nothing related to this matter was off limits. The waiver covered the former attorney general's entire term and covers the entire period for which allegations have been made. Since 1987, there have only been four similar instances where cabinet confidence was waived and none of those included solicitor-client privilege. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner continues his important work and we have appointed the Hon. Anne McLellan as special adviser—

Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to have faith in their institutions and the people who serve in them. The events of the last few weeks have raised important questions about the relationship between the federal government and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.Today I am announcing that the Hon. Anne McLellan will serve as special adviser to examine these question and make independent recommendations. As a former minister of justice and attorney general and deputy prime minister, she has a unique understanding of these roles. Her work will help—

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has been clear on every occasion that the decision that is being discussed was for the former attorney general to take. It is clear that the decision that the former attorney general took remains in place. We also know on this side that committees can do their important work. We see that the NDP now have the same talking points as the Conservatives, and they look for direction from their leader as to what to do at committee and what not to do. That is not the approach of this side. This Prime Minister and this government respect the work of members who sit on the committee. We will let them do their important work.

Mr. Speaker, imagine that, she was there for about four and a half hours. She was allowed to speak, yet she told us and all Canadians that she has more to say, that her testimony has not been made complete.My question is very simple. Canadians want a full story. They want to understand the full picture here. They do not see why the government is shutting down the justice committee and not allowing the former attorney general to speak. Parliament belongs to Canadians. They deserve answers. Will the Prime Minister end the cover-up and let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, we are still waiting for answers on the SNC-Lavalin scandal. It is high time Canadians got the whole truth.The former attorney general must be allowed to speak her whole truth. In her March 14 letter, she clearly reiterated that recent events have been a wake-up call for many across the country, and further clarity and information are needed. Will the Liberal members on the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights back off and agree to let her appear at committee tomorrow morning?

Mr. Speaker, members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights will do their work and make their own decisions. The committee has heard different views. All the facts are now public.The former minister appeared before the committee for nearly four hours. Waiving cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege means that all pertinent information can be shared with the committee. The former minister did just that. We know that the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights will do their work. We have confidence in the committee's work.

Mr. Speaker, what is clear is that we have regard and respect for the work that committees do. We have—

Mr. Speaker, speaking of not having a plan, more than 150,000 students in Quebec went on strike on Friday to call for action on climate change. They are calling on governments to take action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. They are sounding the alarm because the government is getting further and further away from its greenhouse gas reduction targets every year.Will the Prime Minister eliminate subsidies for the oil and gas industries?Will he show some political courage by proposing measures to reduce pollution and investing in renewable energy, or will students have to jeopardize their education to get their message across?

Mr. Speaker, over 150,000 students demonstrated in Montreal last Friday.Thousands more walked in almost every town and city in Canada, with students saying that we were stealing their future and they wanted to take it back. One sign in Victoria, where hundreds and hundreds of kids were marching, said that the kids were the only adults in the room.When will the government get rid of the Harper target to extinction and bring in place a target that takes us to survival?

Mr. Speaker, it is clear to everyone watching that the justice committee is controlled by the Prime Minister's Office through the Liberal members on that committee.Today, we just heard that the Prime Minister is going to be asking his Liberal friend Anne McLellan to apparently investigate. I guess his Liberal friends Gerry Butts, Kathleen Wynne and Sheila Copps were busy. We do not need any Liberals investigating Liberals. What we need to have is the former attorney general being allowed to speak and to give her whole story. Will the Prime Minister let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, on this side we will focus on the facts. The government gave unprecedented waiver for a former minister to speak fully and in detail. The waiver covers the former attorney general's entire term. It covers the whole period during which allegations have been made.The committee is doing its important work. The Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is doing its work. We know there are two ongoing investigations.I am not surprised that the Conservatives would play their traditional game of smearing names. Maybe we should reach out to Jay Hill and find out how to undermine the work of committees. That was the Conservative way.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart burdened with the painful memory of the terrorist attack perpetrated in my community in Quebec City on January 29, 2017, that I seek the unanimous consent of the House regarding the following motion to support the people of New Zealand: I move: That the House, (i) condemns the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand; (ii) extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones; (iii) expresses solidarity with the people of New Zealand and Muslim communities in Canada and around the world; (iv) affirms the need to confront hatred, Islamophobia, and white supremacy, in all their forms; and (v) commits to working to create a world where all people, no matter their faith, can feel supported and safe.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians see what is going on. They know that the right to speak was cut off after January 14, but that the former attorney general should have the right to talk about what happened during a period of time between January 14 and February 12. There is a lot of information that is critical to this case.Will the Prime Minister allow the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights to have the former attorney general come back to testify?

Mr. Speaker, I will try this again. There are members of Parliament from both sides who sit on committees. When it comes to our members, they make their decisions, and they know how to proceed. What they do know is that members have been appearing. It was actually this Prime Minister and this government that waived solicitor-client privilege as well as cabinet confidence to ensure that the former attorney general and minister of justice could appear at committee and share what she needed to share.We know that she was there for over four hours. We know that the questions got asked. She was able to answer them. We also know that the questions were quite repetitive.

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the foreign affairs minister. In her formal response to the OECD, the minister pledged to update it on the “independent domestic processes currently underway in Canada” on the SNC affair. How can she claim that the SNC investigation is independent, when Liberal MPs are preventing the former attorney general from testifying? The minister loves to talk about the international rules-based order, so will she live up to her own rhetoric and allow the former attorney general to testify tomorrow at the justice committee?

Yes, Mr. Speaker, she did appear and the Conservative deputy leader asked her this, “Can you tell us why you've resigned from cabinet?” The answer was, “I cannot”. The reason is that the Prime Minister kept in a gag order for the period after he moved her out of the position of attorney general. During that period, she witnessed events so egregious she thought it merited her resignation from cabinet altogether. If the Prime Minister has nothing to hide, tomorrow morning he will show up at the justice committee and have his members vote in favour of letting her speak. Will he?

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is right. Canadians should have confidence in their institutions, but it is his actions and those around him that have eroded that confidence.Remember that on February 7, the Prime Minister said that all these allegations were completely false. We then saw two ministers resign on principle. Then his former principal secretary, Gerald Butts, had to resign in disgrace. Today, the Clerk of the Privy Council had to do the exact same thing.If the Prime Minister wants to restore confidence, he can let the former attorney general complete her testimony, starting tomorrow at the justice committee.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Laurentides—Labelle for his hard work.Our government is supporting the minerals sector by extending the mineral exploration tax credit for five years, by investing in innovation and by fixing the broken review process for mines and other major projects. Now our new Canadian minerals and metals plan will ensure the sector continues to create good middle-class jobs for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, for many years, governments of different political strips failed to take action. Now, our government is implementing concrete measures to fight climate change.We have put a price on pollution. We launched a historic plan to protect our oceans, our land and our marine areas. We have made record investments in renewable energy and in greener solutions for our businesses and entrepreneurs. We will continue to believe that the only way to protect the environment is to create economic growth at the same time, and that is what we are going to do.

Mr. Speaker, on at least four separate occasions at the justice committee, the former attorney general said that she could not talk about something because of privilege restrictions. She could not talk about why she left cabinet, even though the Prime Minister, Gerry Butts and the Clerk of the Privy Council all did. To add insult to injury, the Liberals on the justice committee are clearly nothing more than PMO puppets who are part of this cover-up.The justice committee meets tomorrow morning. Will the Prime Minister finally remove all the restrictions and let the former attorney general speak at the justice committee?

Mr. Speaker, as my colleague knows, we are reviewing VIA Rail's proposal for a major project in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor. It is a massive project, but we have to do our homework. That is what we are doing. When we have something to say, we will let him know.

Mr. Speaker, we on this side have regard and respect for the work that committees do. We have respect for officers of Parliament. We know that the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is actually looking into this matter. We know that there are two ongoing court cases.From what we just heard from the member opposite, it is clear that Conservatives will continue to undermine our institutions.The former attorney general appeared at committee. Something she said is that Canadians can have confidence in their institutions and that the rule of law was followed.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Prime Minister.The former attorney general of Canada confirmed that the Prime Minister and his staff subjected her to consistent and sustained political pressure to end criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin. The Prime Minister has retained the services of a lawyer to defend him against potential criminal charges. If he really wants to get to the bottom of what happened, he can waive solicitor-client privilege and allow the former attorney general to say everything she wants to say.When will he do that?

Mr. Speaker, our agenda on helping middle-class Canadians has started helping seniors. In budget 2016, we introduced an enhancement to the guaranteed income supplement, which is helping to lift 75,000 seniors out of poverty. We have also introduced an enhancement to the Canada pension plan, a historic enhancement, which we had not seen for many decades. We are working very hard to make sure that all vulnerable seniors receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

Mr. Speaker, I know the Conservatives have never let the facts get in the way, but it is important that Canadians be reminded of them. It was actually the Prime Minister and this government that waived solicitor-client privilege and waived cabinet confidence so the former attorney general could appear. It was justice committee members who asked that the clerk appear, asked the former attorney general to appear and asked for other witnesses to appear. Those people have been appearing. We also know that the justice committee has been now sitting for five weeks. We know that the former attorney general appeared for over four hours and answered a series of questions, which, by the end, were quite repetitive.

Mr. Speaker, due to a glitch in CPP payments that started in 2009, for 10 years both the Conservative and Liberal governments overpaid seniors, and now they are telling these seniors that they have to pay it back. Seniors might have even been unaware of the overpayment. It could also mean that they paid higher taxes. Paying these amounts back will impact seniors, the most vulnerable seniors, who are on or below the poverty line in this country. Can the current government explain to the people of Canada what it is going to do to make sure that seniors are not overburdened with paperwork and that the most vulnerable are not paying, with so few resources?

Mr. Speaker, it is these Liberals who are eroding Canadians' confidence in their institutions, and Anne McLellan is not an institution. She is a former Liberal minister who was there during the sponsorship scandal.The former attorney general has made it clear that she has more to say. The Prime Minister is standing in her way, blocking her from completing her testimony.Will he stop being so afraid of what she has to say, remove the gag order and let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, last week at the justice committee emergency meeting, Liberal MPs shut down debate on the PMO's interference scandal. Tomorrow, Liberals intend to hold a meeting out of the public eye, behind closed doors. They keep telling Canadians there is nothing to see here, that it is just procedural. The fact is that the former attorney generalwants to tell her whole truth, but the Prime Minister refuses to let Canadians hear it. This is a deliberate obstruction of justice. Canadians deserve the truth. Will the Prime Minister do the right thing and allow the former attorney general to speak her whole truth for Canadians to hear—yes or no?

Mr. Speaker, the safe third country agreement was not working over a year ago. The U.S. is not a safe country for asylum seekers. Children continue to be separated from their parents. Gender-based violence is no longer recognized as a basis for asylum.The Prime Minister stated that the treatment of asylum seekers by the U.S. was wrong, but instead of suspending the agreement, the Liberals are looking to expand it and apply it to those crossing into Canada irregularly. Is this what a Liberal feminist government looks like, denying women fleeing domestic violence the right to make an asylum claim?

Mr. Speaker, the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights took the time to hear from witnesses who came to answer questions.We know that the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights have been studying this matter for five weeks now. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is also looking into this matter. We know that we can count on the work done by the committee and the Office of the Ethics Commissioner.

No, Mr. Speaker.

No, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's attempt to interfere with the SNC-Lavalin bribery case has cost him his former attorney general, the President of the Treasury Board and the Clerk of the Privy Council. He is going to bring a Liberal back from the sponsorship days to make it all right. Who is coming up with these ideas? It is no wonder the OECD anti-bribery unit said this has set all the alarms ringing. This is like a five-alarm dumpster fire of political cronyism, incompetence and now obstruction. What is the Prime Minister so afraid of that he will not let the former attorney general speak her truth so Canadians can get to the bottom of this very tawdry scandal?

Mr. Speaker, the only job the Prime Minister is concerned about is his own.The OECD's anti-bribery unit is concerned about political interference and said this scandal set “all alarms sounding”.For Canadians watching at home, this does not look any different than when the Conservatives were in power: special access for powerful corporations, a closed door for everyone else.Why is the Prime Minister so afraid to launch a public inquiry?

Mr. Speaker, there we have it. Liberals will investigate Liberals to get to the bottom of this affair: former Liberal cabinet minister Anne McLellan. Maybe Sheila Copps was not available. This is unbelievable and all for something that according to the Prime Minister was completely false. He said that none of these accusations were true. However, in order to prove that, he could do the right thing and let the former attorney general complete her testimony, starting tomorrow at the justice committee.

So, Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's top adviser has resigned. His attorney general has resigned. His Treasury Board president has resigned. Now the head of the entire public service has resigned. No one did anything wrong, but everybody is resigning for it.We know something happened here, something bad enough that the former attorney general could no longer be part of the government at all, but she has not been able to tell us why. Will the Prime Minister join with us tomorrow morning at the justice committee to let her speak?

Mr. Speaker, Canada has had a stellar reputation as a founding member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Sadly, under the Liberal government, that reputation is being tarnished by the Prime Minister's conduct in the SNC-Lavalin affair, and the OECD bribery group is now investigating the Liberal government's actions. When will the Prime Minister recognize that Liberal corruption and stonewalling is harming Canada's international reputation?

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that they have not heard the whole truth when it comes to the Prime Minister's scandal.In a letter to her constituents, the former attorney general said that these matters were still unfolding and that further clarity and information were needed. She said that this matter was serious and some questions remain unanswered.Will the Prime Minister authorize her to appear again before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights tomorrow?

Mr. Speaker, environmental leaders do not buy pipelines.People are concerned about how easy it is for wealthy individuals to access the Prime Minister's Office. They are troubled by how the rich managed to get legislation passed through the back door. Worse still, the OECD's anti-bribery unit is concerned about possible political interference.Why is the Prime Minister so afraid to uncover the truth and launch a public inquiry?

Mr. Speaker, the premise of made a little mistake, it is not the events of the last few weeks that led to the erosion of trust. It was the coordinated, unwanted and sustained campaign of political pressure on the former attorney general that eroded trust under his government. Other people have had the ability to come back to complete their testimony, but so far the Prime Minister is denying that right to the former attorney general. She wrote a letter saying that this matter was serious and that some questions remained unanswered. She can answer those questions if the Prime Minister lets her. Will he?

Mr. Speaker, the minister expects us to have confidence in a justice committee that shuts down debate 20 minutes into a meeting, before a motion can even be debated. Now Liberals are throwing up the smokescreen of Anne McLellan. Anne McLellan served in cabinet with the Minister of Public Safety, the Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and the Minister of Veterans Affairs. She was a minister during the Liberal sponsorship scandal. That is going to make this go away?Why does the Prime Minister not lift the gag order tomorrow at the justice committee and let the former attorney general speak?

Mr. Speaker, the Broadcasting Act has not been reviewed since before the Internet was in our homes. Why is that? It is because for 10 years, the Conservatives took no action on this.We have appointed a panel of experts to help modernize this act. Our starting point is clear. All players who participate in this system will pay. There will be no free ride.I know that my colleague, the Minister of Finance, is working with our allied countries to find a consensual approach to this.

Mr. Speaker, the former attorney general says the SNC scandal is a serious wake-up call, and the OECD says all alarms are sounding. This is serious. Canadians and our allies must be reassured that our rule of law is intact. We need the whole truth, not just the pieces the Prime Minister will allow us to hear.Tomorrow, Liberal members will determine the future of the investigation. Will the Prime Minister let the former attorney general speak tomorrow at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice?

Mr. Speaker, where there is smoke, there is fire, and that fire is burning so fiercely in the Prime Minister's Office that they had to call in the firefighters. News surfaced this weekend that private-sector lawyers have been hired for the Prime Minister and cabinet members named in the cover-up.Rather than waste Canadian taxpayers' money, will the Prime Minister come clean tomorrow at the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights?Did the RCMP contact him or his office about political interference in criminal proceedings against SNC-Lavalin, yes or no?

Mr. Speaker, in 2017, we extended our military training mission in Ukraine, Operation Unifier, until 2019. Since then, 200 Canadian Armed Forces members have trained close to 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers, and Canada has been advising the country on NATO standard defence reforms. Can the Minister of National Defence update the House on how our government is standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in the face of Russian military aggression?

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, the Liberals will table their last budget before the election. This is the Liberals' last chance to be forgiven for all the times it has betrayed Quebec. They cut health transfers, wasted our money on dirty oil, abandoned our aerospace sector and failed our rural areas. The list is long, especially for our dairy producers, who were sold out three times in free trade agreements. It is their last chance.Will the government finally compensate in full our producers for the three breaches in supply management?

Mr. Speaker, three budgets and Canadians are still waiting for housing.Last Friday, I was in the streets with thousands of young people to protest against the government's serious lack of leadership on the climate crisis. They say that the time for talk, political rhetoric and half measures is over.Will the Prime Minister get rid of the carbon price exemption for major polluters?

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister refuses to come clean about his interference in the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin. He is choosing instead to cover it up at every opportunity. It is clear that the Prime Minister interfered in a criminal trial to defend his friends and now he has hired lawyers to defend himself.Could the Prime Minister confirm if he or his staff has been contacted by the RCMP?

Mr. Speaker, Canadians across the country were appalled to learn of the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones in this terrible attack. To the people of New Zealand and Muslim communities in Canada and around the world, they are in our hearts and minds and we stand with them.I spoke with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern over the weekend to convey Canada's support through this difficult time, both as a government, as political institutions, and also from people to people. I also want to highlight that in regard to the Netherlands, our thoughts are with the residents as we learn more on the possible terrorist attack they have gone through this morning. We will be reaching out to counterparts to offer our support.

Mr. Speaker, six weeks ago, the Prime Minister denied that he attempted to interfere in a criminal trial. His excuses have evolved as evidence of political interference has accumulated, despite sycophantic stonewalling by Liberal members of the justice committee. Now the Prime Minister and senior staffers have lawyered up, on the public dime, in apparent anticipation of criminal investigation and possible prosecution.We are looking at unvarnished corruption here. Will the Prime Minister direct Liberal MPs to stop the cover-up at the justice committee tomorrow?

Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for all members when I say that we are all shocked and saddened by news of the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. I know that the Prime Minister and I, along with other opposition leaders, will be making statements after question period, but I wanted to give the Prime Minister the opportunity to join with me now, and indeed all members, in expressing our profound sorrow for the victims and their families, while standing in solidarity with Muslims all over the world and condemning the hateful ideologies that promote violence and intolerance.

Mr. Speaker, we are learning that the government has entered into discussions with the U.S. to close the loophole in the safe third country agreement. The government has allowed thousands of illegal migrants to flood into Canada and has spent hundreds of millions of dollars, yet it has done nothing to resolve the issue. Why did the government allow the situation to deteriorate so badly before sitting down with the Americans to enforce our border laws?