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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 301

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
April 17, 2024 02:00PM
  • Apr/17/24 4:38:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Mr. Firth admitted that he altered two résumés, replacing a two-month internship with 51 months of professional experience. On another occasion, he inflated seven years of experience to 12. He claimed that this was a mistake. He did not have consent to manipulate the résumés. Is that not correct?
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  • Apr/17/24 4:38:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we have mentioned this previously in previous testimonies, but we encouraged the RCMP investigation into the Botler allegations, whether it is fraud over $5,000, because we believe it is going to exonerate us.
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  • Apr/17/24 4:38:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, he clearly did not answer the question. I will move on. How many other times has Mr. Firth altered materials and résumés to the government since 2015?
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  • Apr/17/24 4:39:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is a common practice to engage with a resource to understand, because not everybody's CV or résumé completely aligns with requirements that are coming out. They may have the experience, but we just have to speak with them to qualify that.
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  • Apr/17/24 4:39:30 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am asking for the number.
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  • Apr/17/24 4:39:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I do not have a number.
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  • Apr/17/24 4:39:40 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Mr. Firth's actions amounted to forgery under the Criminal Code. He altered résumés to secure government contracts, thereby fleecing the Canadian taxpayer. Is that not correct?
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  • Apr/17/24 4:39:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the allegations regarding the Botler résumés were on a contract that had already been awarded, so these were task authorizations. No contracts would have been decided either way by these résumés. It was one business.
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  • Apr/17/24 4:40:07 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Mr. Firth's actions further constituted a fraud on the Government of Canada. Section 380 of the Criminal Code stipulates fraud is “Every one who, by deceit, falsehood or other fraudulent means” defrauds the public “of any property, money or valuable security”. Both offences are punishable by indictment and, upon conviction, he could face a maximum prison sentence of 10 to 14 years. Is he aware of that?
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  • Apr/17/24 4:40:31 p.m.
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Again, Mr. Speaker, we are looking forward to the investigation by the RCMP because we believe it will exonerate us.
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  • Apr/17/24 4:40:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Mr. Firth's actions were not accidental but intentional. This was not a mistake. He knew his resources would not qualify for taxpayer monies without manipulating their experience. Does Mr. Firth think that the Prime Minister or the Liberal cabinet ministers should be at the bar answering questions today, instead of him, or is he willing to go to jail for them?
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  • Apr/17/24 4:41:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, can I speak to my counsel, please?
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  • Apr/17/24 4:41:14 p.m.
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Go ahead, Mr. Firth.
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  • Apr/17/24 4:41:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am not even sure what the question is there.
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  • Apr/17/24 4:41:29 p.m.
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I wish to inform the hon. member that his time has elapsed. Some hon. members: Oh, oh! The Speaker: I would like to inform the hon. member for Brantford—Brant, and we will be able to show him this on the record, that actually by the time he finished his question the time he had had already elapsed.
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  • Apr/17/24 4:42:31 p.m.
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I respect that, Mr. Speaker, but he clearly indicated that he did not understand the question. In terms of fairness to Mr. Firth, he should be afforded an opportunity for me to rephrase the question so he can understand it and respond accordingly.
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  • Apr/17/24 4:42:31 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, you started off today talking about the importance of decorum. I do not think it is appropriate for the member opposite to be challenging the Speaker when the rules, as you expressed them, were very clear. The time has expired. That means we move on to the next person, and he should not be challenging the Chair.
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  • Apr/17/24 4:42:51 p.m.
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I appreciate the intervention from the parliamentary secretary to the government House leader. I am going to take a moment to consult on this matter. The Chair is going to permit the hon. member for Brantford—Brant to please put a question within 10 seconds so that the witness, Mr. Firth, can answer the question.
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  • Apr/17/24 4:43:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, does Mr. Firth think that he should be solely responsible for this scam, or should the Prime Minister, the Liberal cabinet ministers and certain members of the Liberal back bench be at this bar facing legal consequences?
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  • Apr/17/24 4:44:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am sorry. I do not want to be elusive. I cannot comment on this; it is kind of speculative. I am not sure what I can do here.
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