Government Operations Committee on Nov. 30th, 2010

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

He is my employee. He works at my department.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

I see.

And Camille Villeneuve?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

He is the contractor that was mentioned.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

He is another contractor who contributed $1,000. Is he with Multivesco?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Yes, absolutely.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

I see.

David Cowan?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I don't know him personally.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

You don't know him. He donated $1,000.

Diane Cowan?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Well, actually, I did meet him. However, as I told you, I don't know all of them. It was set up with Senator Rivard, whom I know well. It was to give him a hand, since I have certain responsibilities as political lieutenant. I travel all over Quebec.

Now I'm just trying to understand where you're going with this. The question is whether there was political interference in the awarding of contracts. You have strayed a long way from the motion, Mr. Lemay. It's a pleasure for me to come here. However, if you want to talk about the clothes I wear, what colour they are and my lifestyle—

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Just a minute. That's not it. I don't intend to talk about fur coats. I won't raise that. What I'm interested in is the fact that, in politics, it's all about perceptions.

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Or so you say. Continue and we'll see where you're going with this.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

In 2009, you had 92 donors.

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Yes, and they're all listed. There is nothing to hide. It's transparent.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

I know. All the same, it's odd that of those 15 donors, 12 were construction contractors.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I always expect donations to come from Conservative supporters.

You ask me a question, but you won't let me answer.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Surely you're not telling me that Bernard Lamarre is a Conservative supporter.

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Chairman, can I answer the question? There are all kinds of accusations flying here.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Excusez-moi.

On a point of order, Monsieur Gourde.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

I would really like to know where my colleague is going with this, because he is talking about donations which are all perfectly legal. Of all the individuals who have been named here in front of the committee, not one has anything to do with the committee's work. I would like Mr. Lemay to get straight to the point, please.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

That's not a point of order, but I do caution the witness and the member to try not to talk over each other. It's very difficult for those of us trying to follow the translation.

Mr. Lemay, you have less than one minute left.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

What I'm trying to say, and what your colleague opposite does not understand, is that it's all about perceptions. The surprising thing is that you were the Minister of Public Works in 2009.

Do you agree that, in politics, it's all about perceptions?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I do agree that our government strengthened the financing rules, that it set the contribution limit at $1,100 and that all the information was listed on the Elections Canada site, out of a desire for openness and transparency.

In terms of whether there was political interference in the awarding of contracts by Public Works when I was minister, the answer is no.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Minister, how many cocktail parties did you attend in 2009?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

If memory serves me, I would say that there were only those two.