Question period exchange between PM Justin Trudeau and the Leader of the Opposition, Rona Ambrose, regarding the Chinese fundraising story that was published in the globe and mail 22nd Nov, 2016 morning.
Globe & Mail story: http://www.theglobeandmail.
Hon. Rona Ambrose (Leader of the Opposition, CPC):Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome the Prime Minister back to the House for the first time since November 2nd. We all know that the Prime Minister likes-
The Speaker:The hon. Leader of the Opposition is aware that members do not draw attention to the presence or absence of other members in the House
Hon. Rona Ambrose
Hon. Rona Ambrose:Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome the Prime Minister to the House.
We all know that the Prime Minister would rather hang out with billionaires than answer questions in Parliament. When he is not mingling with them in Sun Valley or Davos, he is hitting them up for Liberal Party donations back home. In May, in fact, Chinese billionaires paid $1,500 for exclusive access to the Prime Minister at a Toronto mansion.
Rubbing elbows with millionaires at these cash for access events does not pass the smell test and the Prime Minister knows it. Why does he keep doing it?
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.):Mr. Speaker, Canadians faced a period of 10 years of lower than needed growth under the previous government. That is why we have committed to engaging positively with the world to draw in investment. I am pleased with the representations we have made in Davos and elsewhere to demonstrate that Canada is a good place to invest.
When we talk about investments like Bell Helicopter in Mirabel with 1,000 more jobs, or the GM research in Markham, or the GE plant down in Niagara Region, we know that drawing in global investment is a great way to grow the economy and create jobs.
Hon. Rona Ambrose (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)
Hon. Rona Ambrose (Leader of the Opposition, CPC):Mr. Speaker, it is not a coincidence that these billionaires the Prime Minister meets with actually want something from him. One of the guests at the mansion in May wanted government approval for a new bank in Canada. So, an individual pays $1,500 for exclusive access to the Prime Minister and that individual will get final approval for a bank a few months later.
Not only does this event break the Prime Minister's own ethics rules, it does not pass the smell test. He could stop this right away. Why will he not?
Right hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.):Mr. Speaker, Canadians can be reassured that the federal level has some of the toughest rules and laws around political fundraising of any level of government in this country. We have always followed those rules and the principles that underlie them.
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