Mr. Chairman, as I have a few minutes left, I will ask one more sponsorship related question.
Compass Communications is a Halifax firm owned by a Tony Blom, who was a Liberal strategist in the last election and the cousin of former provincial Grit party president, Gerry Blom. He seems to get all of the contracts in Manitoba.
Only twice since I have been a member of parliament has a Liberal cabinet minister allowed me to deliver money in my own riding. Usually that is done for me by neighbouring Liberals. Both sponsorship contracts were from communications-public works. Both times they were little rinky-dink cheques and both times they had to be administered from Halifax by Compass Communications. I could not understand that a lousy $50,000 contribution to a great big music festival had to be administered for a fee from Halifax.
Would the minister, as part of this new commitment to try to be more equitable regionally, not admit that if the money is to be delivered within Winnipeg we can find a Winnipeg communications company, that is, if he has not repatriated by then and delivered it himself?
We have skilled and talented people in the province of Manitoba, some who have communications skills as well. Would the minister make commitment to us that in the future we do not need to farm this out across the country?