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Public Services and Procurement

In question period on public services and procurement, the Conservatives asked whether the Prime Minister had ever discussed the $2.3 billion contract given to Telesat, a company led by a long-time friend and fundraiser of the Prime Minister, and pressed for a direct yes-or-no answer, comparing the matter to previous controversies. The Liberals replied that Canada has strong ethics and disclosure rules, that these are followed, and that the question had already been answered, while also accusing the Conservatives of promoting conspiracy theories.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

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?”
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?

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Mike Kelloway

Liberal
“Canada has some of the best ethics rules in the world. We follow them and we take them very seriously.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 36 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the question was asked yesterday, and the answer was provided many times yesterday. Canada has world-leading rules and regulations when it comes to ethics, disclosure and compliance. All members on this side of the House take that very seriously. The answer yesterday, as the answer is today, was that we follow these rules and we take them very seriously.

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John Brassard

Conservative

Linked statement

“The government gave this same excuse during its past scandals, and the truth came out each time. Did the Prime Minister talk to any ministers, staff, or public servants about Telesat before or after giving $2.3 billion to a nearly bankrupt company run by his friend? Yes or no?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that is the exact same response the Liberals gave as the SNC-Lavalin and WE scandals were unfolding. It is what they said on the green slush fund scandal and Trudeau’s trip to billionaire island. In every case, after they repeated it, the truth came out. Let us hear it one more time. Who wants to hear it one more time? Did the Prime Minister have any discussion about Telesat with any ministers, any staff or any public servants during or after 2.3 billion in tax dollars was given to a near bankrupt company run by a well-connected Liberal insider and friend of the Prime Minister, yes or no?

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Mike Kelloway

Liberal
“The Conservatives are just pushing right-wing conspiracy theories. We follow the rules. The minister and the Prime Minister have already answered this.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 48 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 32 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, for those who have just tuned in, on the Conservative side, we have just entered the conspiracy TV segment of the show, where conspiracies come left, right and centre. Some are right-wing focused; some are really right-wing focused. Again, we follow the rules here. The minister spoke to this. The Prime Minister spoke to this. We will always follow the rules on this side of the House.

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