Speech from the Prime Minister to CaucusMay 20, 2013,
Good morning everyone. Colleagues, I want to speak to you about events that have transpired recently. You will not be surprised to hear, that I am not happy with the conduct we have witnessed, conduct of Parliamentarians, and the conduct of my own office.We have worked hard, collectively as a party, as a caucus, and as a government, to dramatically strengthen accountability rules in Ottawa and to apply those standards to ourselves.
I need not remind you, that in 2006, this government was first elected, to clean up the Liberal sponsorship scandal, to ensure the rules are followed, to ensure there are consequences when they are not. Since that time we have taken unprecedented measures to achieve that end.
Our Federal Accountability Act, the toughest accountability legislation in the history of this country, forever changed the way business is done in Ottawa. We have:
- Strengthened the powers of the Auditor General.
- Toughened the office of the Ethics Commissioner,
- Reformed political party financing.
- Dramatically tightened lobbying rules.
- And beefed up auditing and accountability within government departments.
Canada now has one of the most accountable and transparent systems of governance in the world.
This is something of which Canadians are rightly proud. It is also something we can never take for granted …because colleagues, as I said in the room across the hall, in the fall of 2005, when we first pledged to bring in the Federal Accountability Act…no government will be perfect, because none of us are perfect.
We cannot dream of a system so perfect that no one will have to be good. Therefore, just as we continue to toughen rules, we must also uphold a culture of accountability. And I know that the people in this room have. We have reduced our budgets and travel as a government. We are the caucus that finally bit the bullet and reformed the M.P. pension plan, so that we will pay our fair share. And I know that like me and my family, you are scrupulous about paying expenses of a personal nature yourselves.
But, that said, let me repeat something else I said in that same speech, in 2005, and let me be very blunt…anyone……anyone, who wants to use public office for their own benefit, should make other plans - or better yet, leave this room!
Colleagues, let me also address the issue of Senate reform. As Canadians know, it was this party that put Senate reform on the national agenda.
And in this room are colleagues from the Senate who have agreed to sit in that place in order to support our efforts to achieve fundamental, irreversible, reform. Colleagues, we have heard from Canadians loud and clear. They want us to continue our efforts. They are asking us to accelerate those efforts. The Senate status quo is not acceptable. Canadians - want - change!
As you know, earlier this year, we asked the Supreme Court of Canada whether the reforms we have proposed can be accomplished by Parliament alone. We have also asked the Court to rule on options for abolishing the Senate completely. And as we prepare to receive, and act on the judgement of the Supreme Court, we will also take further steps in the area of Senate expenditure and accountability. Senator LeBreton and I have discussed this, and she has my full support to accelerate changes to the Senate’s rules on expenses, and close any loopholes in those existing rules.
Colleagues, we have an active and important agenda, on the issues that matter to hard-working Canadian families, and much work to do. When distractions arise – as they inevitably will – we will deal with them, firmly. But we will not lose sight of our top priority. The world remains a deeply uncertain place.
Canadians are looking to us to protect them …their jobs, their families, and their communities.
That is what we must be focused on and what we will continue to do …continue to implement our economic action plan, continue our work on expanding trade, continue our focus on jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity…and continue to ensure that, through all the ups and downs in the world economy, there is no better place to be than Canada.
Now, let’s get back to work.
Canada remains committed to the development of MaliMay 15, 2013,
(Brussels, Belgium) - As a leading donor, Canada will continue to provide food and basic health services to the people of Mali. Today, Lois Brown, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation, on behalf of the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation, reaffirmed Canada's support for the people of Mali at an international donors' conference in Brussels, Belgium.As a leading donor, Canada is working to ensure that basic needs of the people of Mali are addressed, said PS Brown. "Once again, Canada has demonstrated during this conference that we remain focused on helping Malians build upon stronger ground."
Canada took part in this important conference to help mobilize the support necessary to address Mali's substantial development challenges. PS Brown announced new investments with a focus on mitigating the risk of social unrest and continuing to provide basic services in health, food security, nutrition and education. These new investments support Mali's Sustainable Recovery Plan for 2013-2014.
Canada is a compassionate neighbour, said Minister Fantino. "Canada will continue to work with other donors, Canadian non-governmental organizations and multilateral organizations, such as the World Food Programme, to provide stability to the people of Mali."
Today's pledge builds on Canada’s announcement earlier this week of $10 million to:
- support the African-led International Support Mission until a new United Nations mission can be set up;
- help restore democratic institutions in advance of planned elections in July and preserve Mali's territorial integrity; and
- help the European Union-led training to help the Malian armed forces protect the basic rights of Malian civilians.
Canada is committed to helping countries like Mali. Economic Action Plan 2013 reaffirms Canada's commitment to international development and humanitarian assistance. The new Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development will help achieve greater efficiency, accountability and focus to continue to improve the lives of people in need around the world.
Backgrounder:
Remarks by Parliamentary Secretary Lois Brown
High-level Mali Donor’s ConferenceCheck against delivery:
As a long-standing friend of Mali, Canada is committed to helping the people of Mali.
Last January, Canada responded to immediate needs with urgent, life-saving assistance.
We remain troubled by the situation in Mali and its potential impact on the stability of the Sahel region and beyond.
Canada’s Minister of International Cooperation, Julian Fantino, has outlined the conditions under which we would reinstate direct assistance to the Government of Mali.
This is the return of a democratically elected, stable, civilian government.
We maintain hope for this outcome, as it is integral for the long-term security and prosperity of the Malian people.
In the interim, we continue our significant humanitarian and development work with our non-governmental partners.
Today, I am pleased to announce that Canada will invest seventy-five million dollars ($75M) to help improve access to food for 250,000 people.
This development assistance complements our ongoing, life-saving humanitarian support.
It also builds on our announcement earlier this week of ten million dollars ($10M) to:
- support the African-led International Support Mission until a new United Nations mission can be set up,
- help restore democratic institutions in advance of planned elections in July and preserve Mali’s territorial integrity,
- help the European Union-led training to help the Malian armed forces protect the basic rights of Malian civilians.Canada will continue to play a leadership role in helping Malians build a more peaceful and prosperous country…
…A country where all citizens can share in the opportunities of greater stability and prosperity.
Thank you.
MP Lois Brown wishes everyone in the Orthodox Community a happy and blessed EasterMay 03, 2013,
MP Lois Brown Stands Up in the House to congratulate Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School on its 125th anniversaryApril 30, 2013,
