Evidence of meeting #47 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 conservative.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
Thank you.
Mr. Chair, I would like a commitment from you, because we did have a number of points. Mr. Goodyear has brought up those points that we were seeking clarification on, that we could have got this morning, that we could have now before us at this committee. And you have undertaken to provide that. That is the commitment that you made. You've undertaken to provide what Mr. Goodyear has requested from you as evidence that you had people who disregarded the summons this morning--because that was the contention that you made--and we would like to actually get that information. But we had no opportunity to talk about that because you determined there was nothing to talk about. We did have something to talk about.
I would like very much, for the balance of this week--which is a special week in which you have called us to be here-- for you to assure me that you will not shut down a meeting prior to anyone on this committee even having a discussion about whether we want to adjourn the meeting.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
I will take note of your remarks. Certainly all of the information that should be in the hands of members will be put in the hands of members. Requests have been made for documents. As I indicated earlier, they're being translated.
I hope you understand that it would be the prudent thing to do to ensure, since this committee is responsible for matters related to the Privacy Act, that I don't violate the privacy issues with regard to proposed witnesses. But as soon as we can...and as you know, I deal with my team, who are the people here from the clerks directorate. There are about four people who have been providing services to me, and I can tell you, notwithstanding some of the suggestions by members' comments about these people, I trust them implicitly. They do excellent work, and I stand behind them 100%. I will continue to rely on them for their counsel and advice, as well as the Office of the Law Clerk of the House of Commons and my researchers from the Library of Parliament who are also working on the next phase of our hearings having to do with ethical standards and expertise, so that we can move forward towards a report and possibly recommendations to the government for amendments to the Conflict of Interest Act or any other document, which is the reason for our study.
With that, I hope I've heard all of the matters that you care to raise for this time, and if it's acceptable to the committee, I'd like to move to the witnesses so that we can continue our work, please.
We've sworn in the witnesses. Thank you kindly. We're going to move straight to questions.
As I had indicated to all the witnesses before these proceedings started, we will go to the questions first, and they will have an opportunity to either make corrections or make some final commentary to the committee that they feel is important so they can fully express their free speech to this committee and to the public of Canada.
Mr. Proulx, please, for seven minutes.
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I wish to welcome the witnesses this afternoon. Gentlemen, please feel very at ease with us. We are very respectful, on this side of the table especially. My party is very respectful of witnesses. Some might think what you've just heard from other members could be interpreted as an attempt at intimidation. We are not intimidated, and I hope you are not either, because, let's face it, this is a committee of Parliament. You are here to speak the truth. This is not the committee of Paul Szabo; it's a committee of Parliament.
Mr. Marler, good afternoon, sir. Would you rather we do this in English or in French?
David Marler As an Individual
I prefer to speak in French, but I am prepared to answer in English.
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Perfect, Mr. Marler, we will proceed in French.
Mr. Marler, I understand that you were the Conservative Party of Canada candidate in the 2006 election for the riding of Brome—Missisquoi.
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
You were identified as one of those who refused to take part in a Conservative Party financing scheme during the last election.
How was your campaign contacted—"cajoled" if you will—by the Conservative Party to take part in this scheme? If such is the case, who was it from the Conservative Party who contacted you?
As an Individual
In December—I cannot remember the exact date—but it was before the Christmas holidays, I received a call from Mr. Nelson Bouffard, who was the second in command at the Quebec Conservative headquarters. He told me that he was calling to inform me that the party was going to transfer a certain amount of money into my campaign account. I remember that the amount was $30,000. He told me that there was no reason to worry about it or to feel pleased about it, because it would be immediately withdrawn.
As the money was to be deposited by the party into the account of a riding, he requested my authorization.
Liberal
As an Individual
No, I did not agree. I asked Mr. Bouffard to explain to me the purpose of the transfer. He told me that it did not concern me, and that it was a request from the national party and that it had nothing to do with me.
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Mr. Marler, I apologize for rushing you, but my time is limited.
Did the Conservative Party or anyone else come back to try to convince you a second time?
As an Individual
Yes. I asked Mr. Bouffard to explain the purpose of the transfer, and what the money that was going to be deposited into my account and then withdrawn would be used for. He was not clear at all.
I can tell you frankly that I strongly doubt that he himself knew. That is only my opinion, and I have no evidence of it.
As an Individual
To complete my sentence, I do not believe that he knew and that he was following orders.
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Did anyone eventually explain to you what the money was going to be used for or if you refused?
As an Individual
Mr. Bouffard then asked me if I was refusing. I answered that it was not exactly that, but that I could not accept unless I understood the reasons for the transaction. That was the conversation I had with Mr. Bouffard.
Some time later, that same morning, I received a call from Mr. Michel Rivard, who told me that he was part of the leadership of the Conservative Party and that he was telephoning me from Quebec City. He asked me why I had refused the money or the transaction proposed by Mr. Bouffard. I answered that it was because Mr. Bouffard would not or was not in a position to explain the purpose of the transfer. He then told me that the party was organizing something or other, I am not sure what exactly, because it was not expressed very clearly.
However, I did not doubt his sincerity. Once again, I am not sure that he knew himself what the purpose of the transfer was. He told me that the transfer had to do with advertising and that the party was organizing and that it would have a positive impact on my riding and other ridings in the Eastern Townships.
Liberal
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
You refused.
Mr. Marler, did someone from the Conservative Party of Canada contact you to ask you not to speak to the people from Elections Canada, to the media or to people from the House committee?