Information & Ethics Committee on Aug. 11th, 2008

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

From a procedural point of view, you know as chair that we often hear an opening statement from witnesses. You went right to questions. I didn't hear you give them an opportunity to make an opening statement.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

I spoke with them before the meeting started.

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

You spoke to them. I'd like to hear what they have to say. Can the other members hear what they have to say? I know you made your own verdict.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

This is not your fiefdom, sir. I would like to know, as a member of this committee, whether the witnesses had an opening statement or not.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

I understand. I understand that clearly, with the number of witnesses proposed by the committee, for everybody to make, especially since we have two people representing one riding.... But I had indicated to the members that if everything is fine, we'll have the questions. And then I'm offering them time at the end, if they want to, to add anything, any matter, that they have not addressed.

It is simply a matter of using our time efficiently. We've already wasted a half-hour on political stunts. I want to move forward. The witnesses will have an opportunity to answer the questions. The witnesses have been sworn in, and each of our witnesses will be offered an opportunity to say anything further.

As you know, you are covered by parliamentary privilege. Nothing you say here can be held against you in any other proceeding. This is the place where free speech must take place. This is Parliament.

I want to proceed now. We're going to have witnesses respond to questions. Mr. Proulx will start, and we'll be doing a rotation in our normal fashion.

Mr. Proulx, please, your questions.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Am I on for 10 minutes?

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

You have seven minutes.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Thank you.

I would like to thank the witnesses for being with us this morning. I would like to reassure them by telling them that we will be very respectful of their rights; there will be no intimidation from this side of the table. We simply want to get to the bottom of things to hear their versions of the events.

Mr. Caldwell, I understand that you ran in the 2006 election for the Conservative Party of Canada in the riding of Compton—Stanstead.

[Gary Caldwell, As an Individual]

That is correct.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Caldwell, could you tell us, you or your official agent Mr. Fauteux who is with you, when, during your campaign, the Conservative Party of Canada contacted you to get involved in its financing strategy, under which you were to be sent money which you would then return?

[Gary Caldwell]

We discussed this matter with the official agents over the holidays. Mr. Rivard then called me to discuss it in early January.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

In early January 2006.

[Gary Caldwell]

Yes.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

What is Mr. Rivard's first name?

[Gary Caldwell]

Michel Rivard.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

What was his role with the Conservatives?

[Gary Caldwell]

He trained and advised the official agents throughout Quebec. I knew him in 2004, and he did his work very well. I had confidence in him.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Caldwell, could you explain to me how the process was supposed to work in your campaign?

[Gary Caldwell]

He told me that the party had reached its limit. In our riding, it was clear that we were not going to reach our limit of approximately $75,000. Our plans were to spend approximately $10,000 on advertising. He assured me that the advertising would appear in the Sherbrooke area. The riding includes 60% of the city of Sherbrooke, and we are on the three sides. The money was to be used in a campaign—

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Are you talking about an advertising campaign for you or for the Conservative Party, Mr. Caldwell?

[Gary Caldwell]

The Conservative Party.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

In your region or not necessarily in your region?

[Gary Caldwell]

For Quebec.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Caldwell, were you ever in direct contact with anyone at Retail Media Inc. with regard to the media buy that you have been telling me about?

[Gary Caldwell]

No.