Discussion · Government Orders
Yves Perron Bloc Québécois
“I am worried this bill reduces the government's accountability to Parliament by creating a new Crown corporation. The government often uses independent bodies to avoid taking responsibility. What does the member think about this?”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech and his deep respect for veterans. I sincerely appreciate it. If the parliamentary secretary is willing to listen, my question is this. My colleague mentioned several times in his speech that creating a Crown corporation could reduce the government’s accountability to parliamentarians. That is a very serious concern for us, and it seems to be becoming a very bad habit. We are seeing the same thing with Bill C‑39, where the Canada Industrial Relations Board could call for arbitrations without the minister getting involved. Then the government can stand up in the House of Commons and say that it is an independent body and that it is not its responsibility. I would like to hear my colleague’s thoughts on that.”
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech and his deep respect for veterans. I sincerely appreciate it. If the parliamentary secretary is willing to listen, my question is this. My colleague mentioned several times in his speech that creating a Crown corporation could reduce the government’s accountability to parliamentarians. That is a very serious concern for us, and it seems to be becoming a very bad habit. We are seeing the same thing with Bill C‑39, where the Canada Industrial Relations Board could call for arbitrations without the minister getting involved. Then the government can stand up in the House of Commons and say that it is an independent body and that it is not its responsibility. I would like to hear my colleague’s thoughts on that.