Discussion · Government Orders
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal
“Ministers and parliamentary secretaries already go to committees to answer questions. Opposition members can also talk directly to the Prime Minister before question period. The government is already open and accountable enough without forcing the Prime Minister to appear at committee.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think that members, at times, undervalue the important role that ministers of government play. We have ministers who go to standing committees. We have parliamentary secretaries who are at standing committees. There is an opportunity in opposition. I sit just two seats behind the Prime Minister. I constantly see members from the opposition go up to the Prime Minister prior to question period when he is here, whether it is Bloc members or other opposition members. An hon. member: When he is here. Hon. Kevin Lamoureux: Mr. Speaker, I suspect everyone is absent from the House at times, but the point is that there is ample opportunity. I think members opposite should recognize that we do have a cabinet and we do have parliamentary secretaries, so there is ample opportunity to ensure there is accountability.”
Mr. Speaker, I think that members, at times, undervalue the important role that ministers of government play. We have ministers who go to standing committees. We have parliamentary secretaries who are at standing committees. There is an opportunity in opposition. I sit just two seats behind the Prime Minister. I constantly see members from the opposition go up to the Prime Minister prior to question period when he is here, whether it is Bloc members or other opposition members. An hon. member: When he is here. Hon. Kevin Lamoureux: Mr. Speaker, I suspect everyone is absent from the House at times, but the point is that there is ample opportunity. I think members opposite should recognize that we do have a cabinet and we do have parliamentary secretaries, so there is ample opportunity to ensure there is accountability.