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.
As an Individual
They printed a lot of signs and they went up around the province. But no, I don't.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Thank you.
Monsieur Nadeau, s'il vous plaît.
Madame Lavallée will take the turn? Thank you.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
First of all, and most importantly, and I am saying this not only for the official agents but also for the candidate, I must tell you that I have a great deal of respect for party members who decide to get actively involved in politics and particularly for those who decide to work as an official agent in a riding.
Everyone around this table has had an official agent in his or her riding and knows just how demanding the task is and how much effort is required, perhaps more than any other tasks performed by the members of our riding executives.
We also know that these people have a great deal of integrity and try to perform their tasks to the best of their ability. That is why the political parties generally give them good training.
My question is particularly intended for Mr. Lowry. Did you receive training from the Conservative Party?
As an Individual
Yes, I have. I've actually been a special agent for the past eight years. I've done about eight elections provincially and federally, so I have gone through training courses.
We actually have a training college. Now we have one in Scarborough, but it used to be just south of Barrie. So I went to Barrie a few times, or just south of Barrie, in Peter Van Loan's riding. We have a variety of training facilities.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
You were given training as an official agent and you were made aware of the federal act of 2006. Is that right?
Bloc
Bloc
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
During your training, were you told that as the official agent, you would have to approve all expenditures?
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Did you tell the members and your candidate that it was prohibited to commit expenses without first speaking to you about it? Did you say that at least once?
As an Individual
No, I have never done that. The candidate does the candidate's stuff. He shouldn't be in the financial stuff unless he's doing a fundraiser, but for the most part he's out on the doors, out on the phones, doing something else other than administrative stuff.
Candidates shouldn't necessarily know. All he has to know is that we followed the rules, that they were audited, and that—
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
I'm sorry for interrupting you, but my time is limited, Mr. Lowry. I would like to get to the point.
Was it explained to you that you were the only person who could approve expenses and that the approval of expenses required familiarity with the documents and expenses in question, including signing a contract and receiving an invoice from Retail Media, in the case of concern to us, and that you would pay that invoice? Did anyone from the Conservative Party explain that to you? Was it explained to you? Who in the Conservative Party explained it?
As an Individual
The answer is yes. In the training process, we have Elections Canada guides to dos and don'ts. All the dos and don't are in here. It's a relatively simple process.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Perfect. We have the same documents. I will continue.
Why did you agree to receive money from the national party and to return it as payment for an invoice that you did not choose, discuss, sign or approve?
As an Individual
It's because the purpose of it was for advertising, and advertising has always been a little strange thing, because.... How does a person vote? Does a person vote on the basis of the candidate or for the party? In the past number of years, we've gone more towards the party and less towards the emphasis.... So advertising is this funny little thing, and it fits into the 60% part that says you get a refund back.
Since it was going to advertising, I said yes. And I sent the money back.
