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.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Order, Mr. Martin, please.
When the chair calls order, it's hopefully to let people get their feet back on the ground and realize where they are and what they're doing. I have always said, and I'm remiss that I did not repeat it again, that before this committee all witnesses are treated with dignity and respect. Mr. Martin, I think to be argumentative with the witness or baiting the witness probably is not helpful. More importantly, the translators cannot follow two people speaking at the same time.
I would ask all members, if you're going to ask a question, finish your question and let the person answer. They may not be giving an answer you want, but that's their answer.
You have a minute to go.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
I'm sorry, it's a seven-minute round. You have seven minutes.
Now, we're going to complete the questions. Mr. Martin has two minutes remaining.
One day, when you run and become elected, you will have a chance to give a point of order.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
All right, let me ask again, more calmly--and I don't mean to go over the top, sir--in your financial statements that you filed with Elections Canada, did you list that $49,900 as an expense, to be eligible for the 60% rebate for that money?
As an Individual
First of all, for the past 30 years I've worked for banks, trust companies. We think laundering money is a damn bad thing. You tell me I'm laundering money; this is damn disgusting. Don't use those words about me; tell it to somebody else. Go to the laundromat to use those words.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Do you think you stood a chance in this election campaign? I mean, that riding has been held by Dan Heap since time began--
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
--Tony Ianno, and now Olivia Chow.
What percentage of the vote did in fact you get?
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
I see. So you didn't file for your 60% rebate because you didn't get 10%.
As an Individual
Of course. I believe that the Conservative Party thought about the long-term interest of the Conservative Party, and every other party could have done exactly the same thing.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
No, no, it would be illegal if we did that. We'd get busted just like you did. We'd get busted and hauled before this committee.
You guys think illegal is a sick bird. I'm sorry, I take that back. I retract that. There's nothing funny about this.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Mr. Martin, unfortunately your time has expired.
I want to move to Mr. Goodyear, please.
Conservative
Gary Goodyear Conservative Cambridge, ON
Mr. Chair, before you start my time, I've noticed, and it's perfectly okay, that a couple of the witnesses don't have their earpieces in. It's not just about translation; it actually helps to hear. It's just a suggestion to the witness. I have mine in so I can hear with all the stuff going on.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
How much time do I have, ten minutes?
Conservative
Gary Goodyear Conservative Cambridge, ON
Seven minutes. I might not use it all. I may want to share it.
Let's talk about Olivia Chow, just so that Mr. Martin over there can pay attention. I'm going to read you a document from an affidavit. I actually have the records from Elections Canada concerning the expenses of Olivia Chow. These are from Elections Canada.
Ms. Chow, as you know, was the NDP candidate. According to the documentation, there was in fact a regional media buy that was apparently accepted by Elections Canada and apparently shares many of the same characteristics that Pat Martin thinks is illegal.
Let me tell you the characteristics that are similar. One, this buy by Olivia Chow and the NDP was organized by or through organizers for the national party. The invoice was processed by the national NDP party. Oh, oh, there was no direct contact or written contract between the local campaign or the media, so they didn't even call her.
The messaging of the ad was produced by the national party. I've seen the ad. It doesn't mention the local candidate whatsoever. A share of the cost of the ad was claimed, guess where? By the local candidate. Interesting.
However, unlike the regional buys we're talking about with the Conservative Party, there was no underlying invoice from a media supplier in the documentation. The only invoicing provided by Ms. Chow was a spreadsheet. That's not an invoice.
And guess what? The ad ran throughout Ontario. It wasn't a regional buy. There was no documentation. But here's the interesting fact, Mr. Lowry, and I want to ask you why you think this is.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Order. I apologize, Mr. Goodyear.
Mr. Wallace, with due respect, sir, another honourable colleague has the floor. All I can hear you doing is playing a flute over there, or something. I think the rest of the people in the room were watching you making some rude gestures.
I think what we should do, please, again, all honourable colleagues—
Mr. Wallace, please.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON
You called me a dog yesterday. I don't know what I've done to you. I introduced you at an event. You treat me like...I don't know what. I didn't do anything to interrupt the speaker. You interrupted him.
I don't know where you're coming from, Mr. Chair. You're unbelievable. You're the poorest chair I've ever experienced. I don't know what I've done.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Again, I'm just going to ask, respectfully, all honourable members to respect their colleagues who have the floor and not to be engaging in conversations across the floor or with anybody else in a manner that would disrupt the ability of a colleague to pose his or her questions or make his or her statements, or of a witness to hear that and to respond. I'm just asking for a little courtesy. Thank you.
Mr. Goodyear, you still have five minutes left, sir.