Madam Speaker, if ever there was a lesson to be learned from the Gomery report, from the problems that resulted from the sponsorship program, it certainly has to do with the need to manage the taxpayers' money appropriately. It cannot be used for political or personal gain.
When one reads this type of document, one can see that its sole purpose is to sully the reputation of innocent people, namely members of the House, to score political points and to use public funds to mislead the public. This is totally unacceptable and unethical.
I certainly believe that this is indeed a question of privilege. The members and the party who sent out these householders should do what has to be done in these circumstances, and they should start by apologizing to the House.