An Open Letter to Canadians
intends to improve going forward. Currently, the Health and Finance committees are meeting virtually, and several other committees are expected to start meeting next week. But the government has refused to give virtual committees the same powers regular committees have. Conservatives are pushing for all committees to be able to meet virtually to discuss the pandemic response and for them to have their regular powers. The government must not be allowed to hide things from Canadians. Through our tireless efforts to ensure proper accountability, Parliament has tasked the Auditor General with reviewing the unprecedented level of government spending during this crisis and ensuring that not one cent of taxpayer dollars is misspent. In order to carry out this vital work, the government must appoint a permanent Auditor General with a ten-year term and provide his or her office with the necessary resources. Some have suggested that Conservatives are only interested in holding weekly sittings for partisan purposes. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our focus is on
helping Canadians through this crisis and ensuring that when the time comes, we have a plan to get Canada’s economy back on track.
In the words of the great John Diefenbaker, “Parliament is more than procedure – it is the custodian of the nation’s freedom.” No government should use a health crisis to try to effectively shut down democracy or take away hard-won rights or freedoms. When the government has tried to grant itself sweeping new powers, we have stopped them. When they have tried to avoid ac
countability, we have required transparency. And when they have brought forward legislation to help Canadians, we have made improvements. That work must continue. Parliament is an essential service. Representatives in Japan, Italy, France, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Finland and the (uropean Parliament are continuing to meet during these trying times. Our democracy should be no different.
It is my sincere hope that all parties will agree to our common-sense proposals. Canadians are counting on us.,