Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the minister pointing that out because that is not at all what I was suggesting. There is an important difference to be pointed out. The actions of individual members of parliament, be they opposition members or government backbench members, differ greatly in that they might make representations that show support or illicit support for a certain project in their riding. They do not have their hands on the levers of power to make that happen. That is the important difference. That is where other ministers, not this minister in this government, have crossed that line.
I want to allude to the point that the minister made himself. He admitted there was no problem with community events. We agree with that. Previous speakers have mentioned they support these type of events being sponsored by the government. The problems rests in the delivery of these contracts. The government is responsible for the delivery.
The auditor general, in committee just last week, indicated that the officials in public works were well trained, experienced and senior enough to know that they were breaking the law, or breaking government guidelines or acts, in their actions. The auditor general's report states clearly they went about their business in an improper way. This leaves one conclusion. These senior bureaucrats were not doing this for their health or advancement. They were taking direction. Who would be giving that direction, if not the minister?