Evidence of meeting #48 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was campaign.
A recording is available from Parliament.
2:25 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
In those documents, it says that the official agent has to authorize all expenses.
2:25 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
So you received $7,700 from the national secretariat, which is reasonable because you are entitled to receive transfers. But how did you spend that money?
2:25 p.m.
As an Individual
We never spent it. It got transferred back to the place it came from.
2:25 p.m.
Bloc
2:25 p.m.
As an Individual
Yes, we had a signed transfer agreement. They transferred money into our account and the amount came back out of our account again two days later.
2:25 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
What was the date you received it on, and what was the date you returned it?
2:25 p.m.
As an Individual
I'm not sure of the exact date, but it was sometime in late January.
2:30 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
You received the money at the end of January and you returned it at the end of January.
2:30 p.m.
As an Individual
It was not at the end, but yes, that's correct. It was before the election.
2:30 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Was it explained to you that this transfer would be considered to be an election expense?
2:30 p.m.
As an Individual
Not at the time. We only got instructions on how to account for it when we did the report.
2:30 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Did you not find it curious that your party sent you $7,700 and asked you to return it? You are a chartered accountant. Did you find it curious that you were asked to carry out an accounting transaction free of charge?
2:30 p.m.
As an Individual
I mistakenly assumed we would be receiving election materials—i.e., posters, buttons, whatever—and that was going to be our cost. I thought it would be a donation to us, and then they would send us the materials and then they would charge us for materials, and that's what it was for.
2:30 p.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you to the witnesses. I note, Ms. Downey and also you, Mr. Roberts, that you are actually here by invitation. You did not need a summons in order to come here to this parliamentary committee. I want to thank you for coming willingly, of your own free will.
I note, Ms. Downey, you have a long history and experience of public service, both on volunteer boards, etc., and as a town councillor for Stephenville.
2:30 p.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Stephenville Crossing, thank you.
You had a 12-year term. I also note, in the media at least, there's a report that you had a falling out with the Conservative Party. Was it this fundraising problem that led to your dissatisfaction with the party?
2:30 p.m.
As an Individual
Certainly not, sir, although that did not go well with us. The problem came when our present Prime Minister elected not to honour his agreement with the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
2:30 p.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
I see. Okay. Very good. Thank you very much.
Mr. Halicki, you mentioned that you saw this fundraising or funding arrangement as a creative way for the party to help itself, and that you represent a low-income area where fundraising is difficult. I just want to understand what you meant. Did you mean that because you could then submit this $40,000 as a local campaign expense and enjoy the 60% rebate, you could borrow against that anticipated rebate and have more money to spend in the campaign? Is that what you meant about a creative way—
2:30 p.m.
As an Individual
Yes. In other words—and this is what we did—we actually borrowed money.
2:30 p.m.
As an Individual
Yes, we anticipated the expense would be allowed, because we researched it and understood that under the Elections Act parties could move around funds between the component parts of the organization. There was not an embargo on that.
