Mr. Speaker, I will begin by expressing my deep disappointment that the hon. member would use such language and attribute motive all on the basis of speculation and allegation. However his language was more specific. He made accusations of crimes. I would think that is improper in the House.
The minister appeared before the Standing Committee on Transport and Government Operations on March 12. During his appearance he answered all the questions members at the committee had with regard to all the affairs for which the minister was responsible, including those with respect to Groupaction.
I remind the hon. member that he is talking about matters which took place in 1996, 1997 and 1998. These are not current matters. They came up in response to an access to information request which raised further questions.
On numerous occasions the minister has said he is prepared to table documents in the House, which he has done. Critics from all the parties have received all the documents available directly from the minister. At the same time, the minister has asked the auditor general to look into the issue. The minister has handled the matter in an open and transparent way. Because of the questions that have arisen in the House the minister has requested that the auditor general conduct a review of the contracts in question.
In accordance with the Auditor General Act, the auditor general who is an officer of parliament will have all the necessary powers to conduct her audit in a full and comprehensive fashion. She will be reporting to the House as early as the beginning of May.
Under the circumstances it would be prudent to let the auditor general do her work. At the standing committee motions were brought before us with regard to these matters. The majority of the committee decided to stay the questions until the auditor general had reported. The auditor general will report to the House. The minister has undertaken to table the report in the House at his recommendation. The minister has also indicated quite clearly that he is prepared to consider making additional announcements depending on what the auditor general may say.
In conclusion, I would say to the hon. member that we should be careful about the language we use when attributing illegal acts to other members of parliament, political parties et cetera. If they are allegations that is one thing. However I do not think the member was referring to allegations. He stated them in the affirmative, and that certainly is not the case.