SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 172 - Mar/23/23

Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Mar/23/23 2:59:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we had an inquiry with Justice Iacobucci and Justice O'Connor, with Canadians who were wrongfully detained in other circumstances, and a set of recommendations was asked to be acted upon. Unfortunately, they were not acted upon by the prior government. They were acted upon by this government. Let me be clear. When we are talking about what is at the very core of our democracy, I think we can all be united. There are autocratic regimes right now that are looking to destabilize western democracies. They seek to undermine democracy by engaging in partisan games on things like national security. It is inappropriate. It is important that we deal with these matters in a judicious, fact-based way.

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Context: House Hansard - 172 - Mar/23/23

Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Mar/23/23 3:00:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, when we are dealing with something as serious and as fundamental as foreign interference in our democracy, how we engage in those conversations, how we talk to one another, is exceptionally important. What we have said from the onset is that we have NSICOP, which allows members from all parties to look into every aspect and every corner of government on all of these issues. We have appointed an eminent expert, who was appointed, in fact, by the Conservative government to be Governor General, to look at these issues and whose commitment to our democracy is impeccable. He will make recommendations on the next step. We have to be careful about throwing around allegations as though they are fact. Instead, we need to be judicious in how we deal with these matters.

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Context: House Hansard - 172 - Mar/23/23

Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Mar/23/23 3:05:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this is why we do not play with national security using partisan theatre. The member just stood in his place, as we have heard many times, and talked about allegations as if they are fact. He said that things must be true and they know things that, of course, they could not possibly know. What we have said throughout this process is that when we are dealing with national security and foreign autocracies trying to undermine our democracy, we need to have the maturity to allow our institutions and process to answer these questions as opposed to playing this out in partisan theatre.

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Context: House Hansard - 172 - Mar/23/23

Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Mar/23/23 3:58:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am sure the hon. member across the way, having not had an opportunity to ask the Thursday question and not having been granted that opportunity, might be somewhat confused about the nature of the Thursday question or what it would be about, so of course we excuse him for that. This afternoon, we are going to be concluding second reading debate of Bill C-26, concerning the critical cyber systems protection act. I would also like to thank all parties for their co-operation in helping to conclude that debate. As all members are aware, and as I am sure you are aware of and quite excited for, Mr. Speaker, the House will be adjourned tomorrow for the address of the United States President, President Joe Biden. On Monday, we will be dealing with the Senate amendments in relation to Bill C-11, the online streaming act. Tuesday, we will continue the debate at second reading of Bill C-27, the digital charter implementation act, with the budget presentation taking place later that day, at 4 p.m. Members will be pleased to know that days one and two of the budget debate, which I know members are anxiously awaiting, will be happening on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. On Friday, we will proceed to the second reading debate of Bill C-41, regarding humanitarian aid to vulnerable Afghans.

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