Discussion · Government Orders
Rhéal Éloi Fortin Bloc Québécois
“This bill just changes the name of our defence agency. It does not seem to add real projects or help Canadians and Quebecers. It looks like a way for the government to avoid blame if things go wrong later.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his remarks. As always, he demonstrates a thorough grasp of the file. Perhaps he can help clarify something for me. As I read this bill, I am having some difficulty following it as well, much like my colleague. We currently have the Defence Investment Agency, which would be replaced by the Canadian corporation for defence investment. Aside from a change in name, letterhead and business cards, and setting aside the possibility of creating a well-paid position for a friend of the Prime Minister, what would actually change? Does this bill actually contain any defence investment projects? For now, it appears to be largely cosmetic. The only purpose I can see for this legislation, although I may be missing something, is that it would allow the government to wash its hands of any future problems. It could then say that the matter is not under its control because it falls within the mandate of a Crown corporation. Am I mistaken, or is there genuinely some added value here for Canadians and Quebeckers?”
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his remarks. As always, he demonstrates a thorough grasp of the file. Perhaps he can help clarify something for me. As I read this bill, I am having some difficulty following it as well, much like my colleague. We currently have the Defence Investment Agency, which would be replaced by the Canadian corporation for defence investment. Aside from a change in name, letterhead and business cards, and setting aside the possibility of creating a well-paid position for a friend of the Prime Minister, what would actually change? Does this bill actually contain any defence investment projects? For now, it appears to be largely cosmetic. The only purpose I can see for this legislation, although I may be missing something, is that it would allow the government to wash its hands of any future problems. It could then say that the matter is not under its control because it falls within the mandate of a Crown corporation. Am I mistaken, or is there genuinely some added value here for Canadians and Quebeckers?