Perhaps the members will give me a chance instead of blustering and yelling from their seats, as has been their custom all morning.
As I already clarified in the House, if there was any suggestion that I was implying that the association itself, without any of its representative membership, made these donations, I have apologized for that and clarified it.
What I have said and I will say outside the House or anywhere because I am not seeking any immunity is that founding members of the Canadian Association of Income Trust Investors made a total of $282,000 in donations to the Liberal Party since 1993 and, in the year 2006, made donations to the Liberal leadership contenders to the tune of $53,700. These are founding members of the Canadian Association of Income Trust Investors who have lobbied this place day in and day out for many months and who are tied to the hips of members in the Liberal Party.
Does the member for Mississauga South and others think it is acceptable for that association to be putting out personal ads that reference me with words like “Hail Judy!” and, What do you really know about finance?” What about the one that states my name and then states “Finance critic or Judas?” Based on the reactions of members of the Liberal Party, they clearly support this kind of irresponsible, unethical and libellous advertising.