Mr. Speaker, I always wondered why, according to the Chief Electoral Officer's reports that I often read in newspapers, some corporations or major banks were giving $50,000, $100,000 or even $150,000 to the Liberal Party's or the Conservative Party's election fund. It has always been a mystery for me since, as an ex-member of a provincial party that promoted and adopted a bill on political party financing, I was used to contribute $50, $100, or maybe $300 in the good years, or the election years. No one of those who acted as I did were getting any particular benefit for their contribution.
In particular, I have often been surprised to see that some corporations were giving $100,000 or $200,000. My colleague, the member for Anjou-Rivière-des-Prairies, is telling me why. In fact, when those people give to some party's election fund, they are probably expecting some benefit in exchange. But it may be more subtle than that. I do not think it is necessarily a give and take process.
I hope that I will never see a minister of the Crown award contracts or give favours for money. I think that would be too disgusting, and it is probably not done these days, at least I hope not. But I think that things are done in subtle way, because the big corporations, the ones that contribute significantly to campaign funds, affirm their position in a particular milieu, that is the haves, the people who, in all good faith, and I do not in any way condemn wealth, belong to a certain social class, to a certain milieu, and who want that milieu to continue.
When we hear the statement made by the hon. member for Broadview-Greenwood, we realize that this milieu organized a lobby for itself, to make representations to the government on its behalf and to have members of the milieu elected to government. Earlier, my colleague from Saint-Hyacinthe mentioned that the present Minister of Finance used to own-I hope that it is not the case any more-a fleet of ships sailing under flag of convenience. That does not surprise me. The Minister of Finance knows the system very well, but he must feel in all good faith that it is a good system. If it is good for him, it surely must be good for every one else. So, he is perpetuating it.
So, be it through election funds, through having people elected, or through lobbying, I think it is the same system that is being perpetuated, and Canadians and Quebecers have had enough.