Mr. Speaker, Health Canada issued a press release on January 22 announcing a national Liberal caucus committee on health priorities initiative. The release is on Health Canada letterhead and the contact numbers on the release are Health Canada numbers.
The use of the resources of the Department of Health by the Minister of Health to promote Liberal Party activities is contempt of parliament for two reasons. First, this action deliberately ignores and omits the House of Commons to which the minister and his department are responsible. This omission in my submission makes a mockery of parliament.
Second, department funds are not meant to be used to promote political party activities. As parliamentarians we are free to use our office funds to develop party policy. We are also free to use parliamentary committees and their funds. Departments are free to use their funds to serve the public, their ministers and parliament. With respect to political parties departments have absolutely no right to get involved and promote their activities.
If the minister and his department want to use public funds to promote and encourage members of parliament to develop policy then they ought to do that through parliament by working with the Standing Committee on Health. To deliberately go around the parliament to which they are responsible and promote a political party activity is wrong. It makes a mockery of parliament and is a contempt of parliament.