Information & Ethics Committee on Aug. 12th, 2008

[Geoffrey Webber]

My understanding was that at some point during the procedure an agreement was made that the amount from Elections Canada would be paid to the national party instead of directly to us. We were quite concerned that we get the cheque, because Mr. White had had a problem with that in the previous election and was still concerned that he had not received his cheques. He said, make sure that you get your cheque back from the Conservative Party.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

The Conservative Party had not given him his reimbursement cheque. Is that what you are telling me?

[Geoffrey Webber]

You would have to talk to him about that, but that was his concern: make sure you get your money back.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Thank you.

On February 27, 2006, $10,896, one month after the election.

[David Marler]

I do not have the records in front of me. Mr. Webber handled that.

[Geoffrey Webber]

I don't recall what that is. It seems to me there were two payments of the amount that we were being reimbursed. Isn't it something such as that you get 20% and then you get the balance, or something?

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Thank you, Madame Lavallée.

I want to move to Mr. Martin now.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank all the witnesses for being here today and showing your respect for Parliament and for this parliamentary committee by coming.

Mr. Lowry, you were the official agent for Sam Goldstein in the riding of Trinity—Spadina.

[Douglas Lowry, As an Individual]

Yes.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Both of you were issued a summons to attend here. You're here with us today. Did you have any conversations with Mr. Goldstein about your appearances here today?

[Douglas Lowry]

Last week I was on holidays, but I e-mailed him. Somebody sent me a notice of the newspaper article and asked me if I had a summons. At the time, I didn't have a summons. Then I went home later that day and was met by somebody who gave me a summons. When I had time, I sent it to Sam, because Sam asked me...because originally I was asked, “Do you want to come?” The answer was no, I didn't want to come.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

That's fair enough. It's like going to the dentist.

[Douglas Lowry]

A lot of the transactions happen to do with the corporate side of the party; we just administer it. If the corporate party sends in some money, somebody at corporate decided that. I didn't decide it.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Did Mr. Goldstein give any reason as to why he wasn't coming today?

[Douglas Lowry]

I didn't ask him today, because on Friday I told him I was coming.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Let me ask some more detailed questions about the actual transaction.

On around December 1, shortly after the election was called, you were contacted by Susan McArthur of the Conservative Party of Canada, according to this affidavit, asking if you expected to spend your whole limit in your election campaign. You told her—

[Douglas Lowry]

No.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

I'm sorry?

[Douglas Lowry]

The answer was going to be no.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

That you would probably not?

[Douglas Lowry]

The answer was going to be no.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

How much room did you tell her you would have in your ceiling?

[Douglas Lowry]

In the 2005 campaign, we received 9.6% of the vote, so we received no money. In the 2006 campaign, we had to start off with scratch. Our total was going to be $80,000.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

How much room did you anticipate?

[Douglas Lowry]

I said $50,000.