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Government Appointments

During question period, the Conservatives asked about the appointment of the Prime Minister’s wife as Canada’s ocean envoy, a role the members said was tied to 1.2 billion dollars in related initiatives. Carol Anstey asked why the appointee would not appear before a committee, arguing that having appointees testify is standard practice and that the unusual nature of the appointment should mean more transparency, not less. Steven MacKinnon responded for the government, saying the Prime Minister’s spouse had volunteered to lead public diplomacy and ocean conservation work, that ministers remain accountable for answering questions about oceans programs, and that further conservation measures would be announced. He also criticized the member for not attending the announcement of a 70 billion dollar investment at Churchill Falls.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

5 statements

Carol Anstey

Conservative

Linked statement

“The Prime Minister's wife was appointed as Canada's ocean envoy, a role tied to 1.2 billion dollars. The government says she works for free, but she still needs to answer for what she does. The minister will not say what resources she uses or if she is raising money. The government blocked us from having her speak to our committee. Why will they not let her come?”

  • A repeated line

    “People are struggling to make ends meet.”

    Said 13 times by 10 members since April 27.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Liberal inflation continues to drive up the cost of living, forcing interest rates up. Canadians are struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s wife was just appointed as Canada’s new ocean envoy, with 1.2 billion taxpayer dollars tied to these initiatives. The Liberals say that she is working for free, but unpaid should not mean unaccountable. The minister’s office will not say if she is seeking donations from banks or industry, or what government resources she is using. Conservatives tried to invite her to the fisheries and oceans committee to get answers, but the Liberals blocked it. Why will they not allow her to come to committee?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“Canada leads the world in protecting oceans and species at risk. We will announce more measures soon, and our ministers are accountable for all the money spent. I thank the Prime Minister's wife for her leadership on this issue.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Speaker, Canada is a world leader in oceans conservation. We have a number of programs, as the member correctly points out, to protect our oceans and protect the species, including species at risk, that exist in the oceans. We will today and tomorrow announce further measures to protect our oceans. Many ministers are responsible for a variety of these programs. They are, of course, always accountable for the spending that is undertaken in the name of oceans conservation. We thank the Prime Minister’s wife for her leadership on this file.

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Carol Anstey

Conservative
“Appointees usually answer questions at committee. The Liberals gave this job to the Prime Minister's wife, and that role involves 1.2 billion dollars. Canadians have a right to know what her job is and how that money is spent. I want her to appear before the committee.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, having government appointees appear before committee is standard practice. The Liberals made the unusual decision to appoint the Prime Minister’s wife to this role. That should mean more transparency, not less. Lobbyists and special interest groups are celebrating that they have access to the Prime Minister’s wife, and $1.2 billion is not a small amount of money. Canadians deserve to know what her responsibilities are, what authority she has and how their money is being spent. What do the Liberals have to hide by blocking her appearance?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“The Prime Minister's wife volunteered to help lead Canada's work on ocean conservation. Government ministers are still the ones responsible for this program and will answer questions about it.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as I just answered, the Prime Minister’s spouse has volunteered to spearhead Canadian efforts in public diplomacy and oceans conservation. Ministers remain responsible and accountable for answering any and all questions about our programming on oceans conservation. What I would like to know in terms of accountability— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“I want the member to be held accountable. She was not there when we announced a $70 billion investment at Churchill Falls that will create jobs for the next generation.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, what I would like to know in terms of accountability is where the member was when we announced $70 billion of investment at Churchill Falls, which is going to put Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to work for the next generation. She was nowhere to be found. Let us have accountability, please.

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