Information & Ethics Committee on Aug. 11th, 2008

[Gary Caldwell]

We filed our election return. The Chief Electoral Officer told us that this money was not considered an admissible election expense. We consulted Elections Canada and Mr. Rivard. Mr. Rivard told us that the party lawyers would deal with the matter. As for us, we knowingly decided—

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

Did someone from the Conservative Party suggest to you or order you not to discuss it?

[Gary Caldwell]

Mr. Rivard specifically told me that we could do what we wanted, that is to say redo our election return without this money or let the party deal with it. He gave me the choice.

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

And you returned this money.

[Gary Caldwell]

We decided to observe the Elections Canada interpretation and to refile our return without this money as a valid expense.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Thank you.

Madame Lavallée, you have the floor.

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

Thank you very much, dear witnesses, for being here this morning. I am sorry that you had to undergo all of that. When we have such a stubborn Chief Electoral Officer, it can't be easy.

[Gary Caldwell]

I was invited, and I agreed to come and give evidence because it is a duty. I consider parliamentary institutions to be very important. I felt some trepidation about what I saw this morning, but I thank the Chair for having reassured me before the meeting.

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

I hope that you will not feel intimidated by the other questions. You should feel very comfortable.

How much money did the party transfer into your account?

[Gary Caldwell]

The total was about $37,000.

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

That's a lot of money.

How much money did you spend on your election campaign?

[Gary Caldwell]

Nine thousand dollars.

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

You spent $9,000. These were genuine expenses needed to buy signs, and to prepare and distribute a leaflet.

[Gary Caldwell]

Except for the signs, which were paid for by the party. That $37,000 amount included about $3,400 for the signs.

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

Those that had your picture on them.

[Gary Caldwell]

That's right.

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

So you were sent $37,000 and you were told that it was strictly... It was Mr. Rivard who was in contact with the party leadership.

[Gary Caldwell]

I presume.

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

You presume.

[Gary Caldwell]

He was the person in charge of supervising the official agents in Quebec.

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

Am I correct in saying that excluding the scheme, you spent $9,000 plus $3,000 on your signs?

[Gary Caldwell]

Yes.

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

With the reimbursement from the CEO, which would be 60% of about $45,000, you would have had a reimbursement of over $25,000. Is that correct?

[Gary Caldwell]

That's right. However, all of this would have been "transacted" by the Conservative Fund.

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

All of this was "transacted" in your riding association account.