Clearly that was a winnable seat, if you came that close with half a campaign or a third of a campaign. I understand.
This is what we're wrestling with here today. Clearly the Conservative Party is of the view that they can transfer their expenses to the local campaigns and then exceed the spending limits in an unfair advantage. But then to have the gall to submit those expenses as if they were local campaign expenses and be reimbursed by 60% and think that's justifiable because you have a harder time fundraising or something, that is appalling.
As far as being accountable to the taxpayer goes, that is bilking the taxpayer by bending, if not breaking, the rules of the Canada Elections Act. I don't know how you could see it any other way.