Anne McLellan

[Sponsorship Program, April 2nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I have no intention of commenting on gossip or hearsay that is found in some article in the newspaper.

Let me comment on what the Prime Minister is doing to get to the bottom of the sponsorship program and to learn the truth in relation to what happened with regard to that program. As we know, the public accounts committee is at work.

I call upon all members of the opposition to stop stonewalling the work of that committee, stop wasting the time of public officials who sit in that room waiting for these people to get their act together, and work with government members on this side of the House to learn the truth.

[Government of Canada, April 2nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, if I were the official opposition I would be worried about the polls.

I want to reassure everyone that the unity reserve was discontinued in budget 2004. No new project has been initiated by this government through the reserve. All expenditures that drew on the unity reserve were routinely reported in the public accounts and therefore are part of the public record.

I ask all members to give Treasury Board the opportunity to compile the information, but it is all in the public record.

[Government of Canada, April 2nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I find it very interesting that the opposition is so interested in the internal workings of our party. I wonder if names like Jim Hart, Grant Devine and Ezra Levant mean anything to the members of the official opposition.

[Government of Canada, April 2nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I want to reassure the hon. member that all expenditures that drew on the unity reserve were routinely reported in the public accounts and are therefore part of the public record.

As he should know, Treasury Board is compiling information regarding the use of the reserve. That process does take some time to complete but I can reassure the hon. member that the information will be forthcoming.

[Emergency Preparedness, April 1st, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, my department is implementing programs and initiatives to enhance the preparedness and response capabilities of first responders all across our country.

These capabilities include the development and delivery of a four level CBRN training program; the development and delivery of a national urban search and rescue program; and the provision of ongoing funding to augment the capacity of provinces and first responders under the joint emergency preparedness program.

At the end of the day, what is important is the creation of a seamless emergency preparedness response in this country and--

[National Security, April 1st, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, let us talk to some of the people who actually are on the frontlines and who know what is happening day after day in our fight against terrorism.

Asa Hutchinson is one of the most credible U.S. officials in relation to terrorism and the fight against terrorism. What Asa Hutchinson said on Wednesday was, “Canadian officials have offered their neighbours extraordinary commitment on the anti-terror front”.

[National Security, April 1st, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, let us go back to what, for example, our neighbours in the United States has to say about our efforts.

[National Security, April 1st, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, it would be useful if the official opposition members, instead of scaring Canadians, actually bothered to inform themselves about what is happening in relation to issues like emergency preparedness.

As I have indicated, since September 11, like all other countries around the world, we are preparing ourselves for terrorist attacks. In fact there are clearly plans in place. I respect the work of the Senate committee. It has done good work, but we have come a very long way since September 11. I can reassure Canadians that--

[Liberal Party of Canada, April 1st, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I find it passing strange that the opposition is so interested in the internal workings of our party, which of course has nothing to do with the running of the Government of Canada.

If we want to play this game, do I remember correctly the name of Grant Devine? Do I remember a decision by the national executive of the Conservative Party of Canada, where, if I remember correctly, the Conservative Party reached the conclusion that Grant Devine should not be allowed to run for the nomination of a riding in Saskatchewan?

[Liberal Party of Canada, April 1st, 2004]

Well, Mr. Speaker--