Elizabeth May: Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister’s Office in this country has way more power than the White House does in the United States. The White House is part of the U.S. Constitution. The PMO is an invention. It is a partisan fortress. It is the least accountable place where taxpayer dollars go. About $10 million a year disappears into the PMO with zero accountability.
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The guys in short pants who run around bullying MPs, muzzling scientists and harassing civil servants report to one boss. Is it not time to have accountability out of the PMO?
Pierre Poilievre: Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister does take responsibility for leading this country and the results speak for themselves.
Just today we saw a 2.5% economic growth, much bigger than expectations. Exports are up by 6%. We have had seven consecutive quarters of economic growth, 900,000 net new jobs, 75% in the private sector and 90% of them full-time jobs. We have cut the deficit in half. We have the lowest debt in the G7.
Mr. Speaker, I could go on, but you would cut me off. Why do you not let me speak a bit longer about this incredible record?
Hon. John Baird: Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. I have to rise and respond to the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands who made comments with respect to young boys in short pants. We have a lot of young, talented women also working in the Prime Minister’s Office. I would ask her to withdraw her sexist comments.
Elizabeth May: Mr. Speaker, I used the term in some degree of levity. I know it is the term that backbenchers use for those who harass them.
I accept that there are, then, also women employed for the purpose of harassing scientists, bullying MPs, and muzzling civil servants.