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The Boudria precedent

The NDP notes that on May 23, 2002, the leader of the opposition stood in the House and asked for a government minister’s resignation.

Under the circumstances, I want to know if the minister of public works has done the honourable thing and offered his resignation, and has the Prime Minister done the right thing and accepted it?

The minister in this case was Don Boudria, who had confessed to staying in the luxury chalet of an individual who did business with Mr. Boudria’s department. The leader of the opposition at the time was Stephen Harper.

Christian Paradis told the House yesterday that no lobbying took place during his stay at Marcel Aubut’s hunting lodge, but government officials now say the topic of Quebec City arena did come up.

Speaking with reporters after QP yesterday, Thomas Mulcair said he is eager to hear what the Prime Minister thinks of the variously embattled Industry Minister.

I’m simply calling upon Prime Minister Harper to clarify the situation. There have been several files involving this minister in recent weeks and I think that it’s his duty as a statesman to come forward and explain whether he thinks that in the light of all the information that’s become public and it’s not just the issues involving Mr. Jaffer or the issues involving rentals or the issues involving now this trip, there are even simpler political issues like moving a centre with jobs from one riding in Rimouski because it’s no longer – you know, it’s not a Conservative riding, moving that down to his riding where it’s not even connected to the people. This is 1950s style politics so I want Mr. Harper to say clearly whether he’s comfortable with that Minister and all the things that have become of it…

I’m looking forward to having the Prime Minister of Canada here in the Parliament of Canada saying whether or not he considers with regard to all of those factors whether or not this minister continues to have his confidence and whether he therefore considers all of this behaviour to be acceptable or not.

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