Mr. Speaker, I should say at the beginning that I am no fan of this particular type of program that gives money to corporations of that nature.
However, I should say to the member opposite that the reason he knows about that is because the minister disclosed all of that documentation. That is precisely my argument.
We need to know that, not just as MPs, but the people need to see it as it happens so they can react and say “No, not in my riding, not in my town. Do not give the money to Wal-Mart. Do not give it to the corporations. Give it to my small business”. But we cannot see that.
I have had spending in my riding that has taken me completely by surprise. I did not know about it. The only reason I could find out about it was because the minister made those documents available.
What I suggest we need to have happen is that we need to reform the Access to Information Act. We need to make sure that information is produced and is available on the Internet so that every Canadian can become his or her own auditor general.