SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 159

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 13, 2023 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 159 - Feb/13/23
Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • Feb/13/23 2:52:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the government, as in all things that it does, ensures that we are present at international events, that we are there for Canadians domestically and internationally. That will continue to be the case. I appreciate the member's interest in this item, but I would say that there is an opportunity right now to discuss many issues that are in front of the nation. I know they have a particular preoccupation with the Prime Minister, with him personally, for their own reasons, but there are major issues facing the nation right now, and I look forward to those questions.
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Context: House Hansard - 159 - Feb/13/23
Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • Feb/13/23 2:53:18 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the hon. member would of course know that all members, every single one of us, are committed to the national security of this country. Every single member in the House is concerned with the issue of foreign interference, and every single member of the House comports themself that way. I am sure that the member would be making no assertion to the contrary.
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Context: House Hansard - 159 - Feb/13/23
Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • Feb/13/23 2:56:31 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is clear that, when the government awards contracts, the process is independent. Decisions are made by the public service. This is done to the highest standards in the world every time. That is how it is now and how it will continue to be.
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Context: House Hansard - 159 - Feb/13/23
Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • Feb/13/23 2:57:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the member across is an hon. member, and he has been in the House for some period of time. He would know that the contracts engaged in by the public service are not to have political interference, and his suggestion just a moment ago that his government would influence the decision of that contract is extremely concerning. The reality is that, as has been clearly identified at committee, this process is independent. The contracts are used to expand the ability of the public service to do its job so that it does not permanently increase staffing, which allows flexibility in the system.
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Context: House Hansard - 159 - Feb/13/23
Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • Feb/13/23 2:58:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as I already indicated, the contracts that are engaged in are done so at arm's length. They are conducted by the federal public service. I am sure the opposition is not inferring that, if it were in government, it would politically interfere, because that would be entirely inappropriate. What we can say is the contracts are engaged by the federal public service to expand its ability to give services to Canadians. Conservatives have tried many times to raise nefarious conspiracies at committee. I am sorry to say they have not been successful. They will not be successful there, and they will not be successful here.
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