Statement made on 03 June 2010 by Senator James Cowan
Hon. James S. Cowan (Leader of the Opposition):
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. I am sure that the leader was as surprised and disappointed as was I to read the report in La Presse yesterday of an interview with Dimitri Soudas, the Prime Minister's spokesperson. Mr. Soudas is reported as saying that the Senate has not passed a single bill, including the budget bill, during this session. This morning, I wrote to the Prime Minister and delivered a copy of the letter to the leader's office. I asked the Prime Minister to correct the record and pointed out that not only has the Senate passed six bills this session but also that the budget bill is not even before the Senate, having not yet passed the House of Commons.
Mr. Soudas' comments reflect not only on the good work that has been done and is being done in the Senate but also on the ability of the Leader of the Government to advance the government's legislative agenda.
Would the minister please assure all honourable senators that she will speak to the Prime Minister as soon as he returns from Europe to ensure that he publicly corrects the record and retracts this unwarranted attack on the Senate and the good work that she is doing on his behalf as Leader of the Government in the Senate?
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