Discussion · Oral Questions
John Brassard Conservative
“The government gave 2.3 billion dollars to Telesat, and its head is the Prime Minister's friend and fundraiser. The law says officials cannot use their jobs to help friends. I want the Prime Minister to give a direct yes-or-no answer: has he ever talked about Telesat with his ministers, staff, or public servants?”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister chose his words very carefully yesterday when asked whether he had discussed the $2.3 billion given to his long-time friend and fundraiser Dan Goldberg, CEO of Telesat. He said that he was not involved in the decision. That was not the question. Section 9 of Canada’s Conflict of Interest Act prohibits public office holders from using their position to influence others to advance their own private interests and those of relatives or friends. Let us try this again. Has the Prime Minister ever discussed Telesat with his ministers, any of his staff, or public servants, yes or no?”
Official Hansard
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister chose his words very carefully yesterday when asked whether he had discussed the $2.3 billion given to his long-time friend and fundraiser Dan Goldberg, CEO of Telesat. He said that he was not involved in the decision. That was not the question. Section 9 of Canada’s Conflict of Interest Act prohibits public office holders from using their position to influence others to advance their own private interests and those of relatives or friends. Let us try this again. Has the Prime Minister ever discussed Telesat with his ministers, any of his staff, or public servants, yes or no?