House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 45% of the vote.
Government Contracts April 30th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, according to the minister, the site he talked about provides an information number that one can call “for additional information, such as for contracts prior to three years...or perhaps by some other department”.
We called the number. They made it clear that they cannot provide any extra information on Earnscliffe.
Will the minister table a list of contracts and subcontracts that have been awarded to Earnscliffe since 1993?
Government Contracts April 30th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday the Minister of Public Works and Government Services said “all the contracts that have been awarded to Earnscliffe or any company...are either already in the public domain or accessible for review”. Yesterday he admitted that was not the case but that the information could be obtained elsewhere by calling the 1-800 number. That is not true either.
What is the minister trying to cover up by providing incorrect information to the House?
Government Contracts April 22nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, they do not appreciate music.
Under a standing offer issued on March 29, 2004, Earnscliffe will be on call to provide Health Canada with advice and strategy on some of the most sensitive files on the political agenda.
Why is the Prime Minister contracting out this work when people in the department are being paid to do it?
Government Contracts April 22nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, remember that old song, You Gotta Have Timing, take-a take timing? They certainly have it down pat.
Government Contracts April 22nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, in justifying awarding contracts to his friends, the Prime Minister explained how time was always a factor in his decisions. There was always a pressing need or a deadline which made it impossible to call proper tenders.
Why this pressing deadline for awarding a $160,000 contract to Earnscliffe to provide communication and strategic advice? Is it the election call, and if so, why is he using the public purse to pay for political propaganda?
Government Contracts April 21st, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the minister brags about the speed with which government and even he himself dealt with issues regarding the contracting. He became the minister of agriculture on November 4, 1993. He was reprimanded for breaking the rules by the then minister of public works on July 25, 1995, 628 days later.
I am not sure of the minister's definition of speed, but how could this pretentiously cautious minister let his department get so far out of control?
Government Contracts April 21st, 2004
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Finance pleaded innocent to any wrongdoing regarding the issuing of contracts. He said that all the rules throughout the process were indeed followed.
How then can he account for the secret internal letter sent to him by his colleague David Dingwall stating that the minister's department had demonstrated a pattern of non-compliance with and avoidance of Treasury Board guidelines?
Government Contracts April 20th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, we would not have to repeat our questions if we would just get one honest answer to our questions.
Forget about us. Let me quote David Dingwall, the former minister of supply and services, when he said to the now Minister of Finance that “Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada officials have demonstrated a pattern of non-compliance and avoidance during the year the regulations have been in place. Contracting has been undertaken by Agriculture Canada instead of by Public Works--”
Government Contracts April 20th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, in 1995, the then agriculture minister, now the Minister of Finance, got his knuckles rapped for allowing his department to continuously break the rules of awarding contracts.
The minister tried to sole source contracts to the Prime Minister's good friends. His officials limited who could bid on the contracts. He funded contracts through contributions instead of the tendering process required by Public Works.
How could the Prime Minister appoint such a finance minister? He says he was outstanding. Does it mean he did an outstanding job in awarding contracts to his friends?
Liberal Party of Canada April 19th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, once again we see Liberals acting when they are caught.
The Prime Minister should have known about this quite some time ago. Mr. Whalen not only heads up the Liberal campaign, he raised $100,000 for the Prime Minister's leadership campaign and sat on the board.
Why does the Prime Minister turn his head for a measly $100,000?