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Pierre Poilievre

Replying to Alex Ruff (Conservative)
“Madam Speaker, I would like to remind all Canadians that the reason the CRA was able to issue this $12-million contract to a U.S. company is that the Liberal government removed the right of first refusal to the Commissionaires for security contracts, which had been in place since 1945. When I asked the Liberals, in this chamber, why they did it, they refused to answer the question. Considering the Commissionaires is the largest not-for-profit employer of Canadian veterans in Canada, is the Leader of the Opposition as frustrated as I am with this affront to our Canadian veterans?”

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Madam Speaker, first of all, speaking of Canadian veterans, we should take a moment to thank the hon. member for his distinguished service to the Canadian Armed Forces. Yes, I do share his frustration. There is a reason many, if not all, of the government departments have had a right of first refusal arrangement with the Commissionaires, and that was so they could focus on protecting our buildings and public servants rather than on fighting back lobbyists for large multinational corporations that are trying to steal the work. We wanted the commissionaires to have job security, and that was the reason for the right of first refusal. The fact that the government has not honoured that in this particular case is really a disgrace. If there is one case where putting Canada first was most necessary, it is for the single largest employer of Canadian veterans.