Michel Gauthier

[Referendum On Quebec Sovereignty, June 20th, 1995]

Since the spending of the Privy Council is only approved after the fact, will the minister confirm that his government could end up spending as much as it wants, without any control whatsoever, and that we would only find out the real cost several months after the referendum? In other words, will the minister confirm that the Privy Council is an open bar-

[Referendum On Quebec Sovereignty, June 20th, 1995]

I invite him to stand up and to answer that question now.

[Referendum On Quebec Sovereignty, June 20th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the minister that never at any time did he, the Prime Minister, or any of the ministers opposite have the courage to clearly answer the question would they refuse an economic association in the interest of the rest of Canada, yes or no?

[Referendum On Quebec Sovereignty, June 20th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, that is not even from the very latest polls, that they have decided not to leak.

The Quebec Referendum Act limits each party's spending, in order to uphold democracy. But, the Privy Council, which could almost be considered the office of the Prime Minister, is not governed by this act.

My question is for the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. Given the way the Privy Council's budget works, will the minister confirm what Jocelyne Bourgon told the Committee on Government Operations at the end of May, which was that any additional spending done by the Privy Council is approved after the money has been spent, because it is impossible to forecast what the total cost will actually be?

[Referendum On Quebec Sovereignty, June 20th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the minister has a short memory. The latest federal poll gave 54 per cent to the sovereignists in Quebec.

[Referendum On Quebec Sovereignty, June 19th, 1995]

In that same letter, the Privy Council suggests to business people that they should fund the advertising or

promotion costs of events such as the 30th anniversary of the flag, or citizenship ceremonies.

How can the minister claim that federal advertising on the Canadian flag and citizenship is not part of a huge multi-million dollar pre-referendum campaign, considering that the Privy Council is asking companies to integrate these themes into their advertising, in the fight against the yes side in the Quebec referendum?

[Referendum On Quebec Sovereignty, June 19th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, this is a case of seeing the mote in one's neighbour's eye, but not the beam in one's own.

[Referendum On Quebec Sovereignty, June 19th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs said that the federal government would follow the letter and spirit of the Quebec referendum act.

Yet, in a letter addressed to business people concerning the referendum campaign, the Privy Council suggests that they make a list of speakers to include current, former or retired business leaders who would like to speak in Quebec, and to give those names to the Privy Council or to the Council for Canadian Unity.

How can the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs justify giving the Council for Canadian Unity, which is a charity receiving 60 per cent of its funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage, responsibility for the pre-referendum campaign on behalf of the Privy Council?

[Canadian Dairy Commission Act, June 19th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, we support this bill. However, we feel that the next few days should provide ample time for third reading. Our critic on agricultural issues would like to speak in support of the bill.

[Canadian Dairy Commission Act, June 19th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, are you asking for consent for third reading of Bill C-86?