Ottawa, ON – Michael Barrett, Conservative Shadow Minister for Ethics and Accountable Government, issued the following statement on the ongoing Liberal obstruction at the Ethics committee blocking an investigation into François-Philippe Champagne’s conflicts with the Alto high-speed rail project:
“On Tuesday, Prime Minister Carney said that it was ‘time to get serious’ in Parliament. That begs the question: What have the Liberals been doing so far? There is no issue more serious than ensuring that massively expensive taxpayer-funded projects are delivered with ethical rigour and that potential conflicts of interest are fully investigated.
“Despite Mr. Carney’s comments, the Ethics committee is now entering the fifth day of Liberal obstruction and showboating to prevent the Liberals’ embattled Finance Minister from testifying on his conflicts of interest with the Alto high-speed rail project. Investigating these conflicts is particularly important given that its projected $90 billion cost makes it the most expensive in Canadian history.
“Even some Liberals are opposing the project. Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette told constituents that he ‘cannot support the proposal in its present form.’ Former MP Martha Hall Findlay said, ‘I have never been supportive of the new 60 to 90 billion dollar high-speed rail project from Toronto to Quebec City.’
“Under this government, we see time and time again that insiders get rich while taxpayers lose out, from ArriveScam and the Indigenous procurement debacle to the Green Slush Fund overseen by the now Finance Minister. Conservatives have fought in each case at committee to uncover the corruption and waste that Liberal MPs are covering up for their government.
“We’re seeing that again, as Liberals predictably filibuster and block the Ethics committee from ensuring basic accountability. Conservatives put forward a straightforward motion to give the Finance Minister the opportunity to speak on his conflicts of interest with Alto and provide answers to basic questions.
“Mr. Champagne and his colleagues should welcome the opportunity to testify – he was the one who revealed these possible conflicts by disclosing his letter to the Prime Minister after all.
“But it’s clear his story doesn’t add up, and Liberals are doing anything to avoid him having to answer questions like ‘why was the recusal letter not released at the time publicly’ and ‘why did he participate in parliamentary votes and debates about the project?’
“Canadians deserve clear answers to these basic questions, yet Liberals are obstructing the Ethics committee to block them from ever being asked. It’s clear they are more focused on protecting their minister than protecting public trust. That’s the exact opposite of what the Prime Minister said Canadians should expect from MPs at committee.
“We need basic accountability from government Ministers, especially on the most costly infrastructure project in Canadian history. Conservatives will continue to fight for answers and deliver the accountability Canadians expect.”