Discussion · Government Orders
James Bezan Conservative
“I question whether this bill is needed. It gives one minister total power over one billion dollars. It opens the door to corruption, political meddling, and a lack of accountability.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee for his service as a veteran. It is quite laughable listening to the parliamentary secretary, the member for Winnipeg North. Five months ago, when we were talking about the second iteration or version of the Defence Investment Agency in Bill C-31, he was saying that it was the greatest idea since sliced bread. Now he is up here saying that this new Crown corporation being created for the Defence Investment Agency is the best thing we have created since sliced bread. The Liberals can get up here and make all these claims, but at the end of the day, is this the type of thing we need, or is it just something that gives unfettered power to one minister and access to $1 billion under the general revenue fund? Does it provide opportunities for political interference and corruption and to get away from accountability and transparency?”
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee for his service as a veteran. It is quite laughable listening to the parliamentary secretary, the member for Winnipeg North. Five months ago, when we were talking about the second iteration or version of the Defence Investment Agency in Bill C-31, he was saying that it was the greatest idea since sliced bread. Now he is up here saying that this new Crown corporation being created for the Defence Investment Agency is the best thing we have created since sliced bread. The Liberals can get up here and make all these claims, but at the end of the day, is this the type of thing we need, or is it just something that gives unfettered power to one minister and access to $1 billion under the general revenue fund? Does it provide opportunities for political interference and corruption and to get away from accountability and transparency?