Stephen Owen

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I can only repeat, to the numerous questions that have been raised today about this and other related issues, that the inquiry will look into these issues. The public accounts committee is in the process of doing so. We will all gain a better appreciation of what happened. The Prime Minister and any other members of the government will go forward and speak to these inquiries or commissions or the public accounts committee if they are asked to do so.

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think the evidence of Mr. Cutler suggests anything of the kind.

What we have before the public accounts committee is evidence from someone who has come forward with the assurance of protection. He was invited and encouraged to come forward. He is providing valuable information. It is being considered by the public accounts committee.

All members will be interested in their conclusions on this and other evidence, so we should not prejudge the conclusion.

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is speaking of events before the public accounts committee and I am not sure if it is appropriate—and you, Mr. Speaker, are the expert on this of course—to make reference in the House to a parliamentary committee that is in process.

In any event, the process is underway. The government has given a clear indication that whistleblower legislation, which is about to be introduced in the House, will be retroactive, making it appropriate and possible for Mr. Cutler to come before the committee.

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the hon. member knows that this government only came into existence on December 12, 2003. Apart from that, I am sure that the--

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is referring to issues I assume are before the public accounts committee. The public accounts committee has not reported. It has not finished its deliberations. It is in place for a very serious purpose. Let it do its work and we will all be better informed.

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, no, the government will certainly not admit that. What we have is a situation of some money that has gone astray and we have processes in place to track it, to hold people responsible and to recover the money where appropriate.

The processes are in place. It is coming out at public accounts. We have a public inquiry coming up. There are police investigations going on. Those hon. members are very welcome to take part in all of those processes.

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member seems to be speaking of government advertising through the ministry of finance to tell Canadians about Canada savings bonds. This is not only legitimate, but it is an essential feature of government advertising in keeping the public informed.

If there is anything improper that is being suggested, then put it before the public inquiry and the public accounts committee. That is where those documents should go. I invite the members to do so.

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is speaking of issues that took place in 1994 and 1995 having to do with Canada savings bonds. Of course the minister of finance and the ministry of finance would want to provide information to Canadians about Canada savings bonds. What could be more natural?

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the document that the hon. member is referring to simply relates to the business of the finance department in the normal course, and does not specify any particular agency or any particular value amount. It does refer to, in due course, providing information that is relevant to the Canadian public about issues dealing with finance and taxation. How could we possibly have a ministry of finance and a budget without giving information to the Canadian public?

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is making accusations which are best put before the public accounts committee or the public inquiry.

The Prime Minister and everyone else on this side have been very clear that they are willing to come forward and deal with any allegations or any issues put forward. I do not think we can be much more open than that.