Lost his last election, in 2006, with 41% of the vote.
Auditor General's Report February 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I think it would be exceptionally important for us to have a discussion on the very issues the member raises. I would like to be talking about how we deal with homelessness and about children.
If the member would like to pose a question that is substantive on that subject, I am more than willing to debate it.
Auditor General's Report February 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I believe the member got all of her hot words into the question but what she has not provided is a single shred of evidence. She should put evidence on the table that says that and it will be responded to. However to simply sit here and come to judgment before anybody has had a chance to look at the facts does not help the dignity of this place.
Auditor General's Report February 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the member only needs to listen to the speeches I have made in this House and elsewhere on this very issue.
There has been a serious structural problem in public management. It began with the new public management move to destroy the comptrollership. An error was made. The past government did not put it back in. This Prime Minister will.
Auditor General's Report February 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I think we can start with the changes that were undertaken in, I believe, June 1993, by the then Kim Campbell government who removed the comptrollership program, the second line of oversight, something that this Prime Minister has offered to restore.
Auditor General's Report February 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I think the member should read the Auditor General's report.
The Auditor General very specifically outlined actions that were taken or were deemed to have been taken by the former minister that called into question the decisions that he made in his responsibility, and on that the Prime Minister acted.
The Prime Minister has also asked me to meet with each one of the crowns, to do an examination of their responses, assess what action they have taken and how seriously it was taken and to make a recommendation on whether we continue to have confidence in them.
Government Contracts February 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the member may be aware that yesterday the Prime Minister, in his remarks, indicated that he had asked me to undertake a special investigation of the affected crown corporations.
I am doing so, but I will simply not act or make a judgment until I have sufficient evidence to do so.
Government Contracts February 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, unlike the opposition, we prefer to have the verdict come after the evidence.
I have been asked by the Prime Minister to undertake a process to examine the adequacy of the responses of the affected crown corporations. I am doing so. I will report my findings to the Prime Minister soon and then they can be judged.
Government Contracts February 12th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, once again a member of the opposition is arriving at a guilty conclusion before the evidence is produced.
If she has facts that back up that conclusion, she should put it in front of the inquiry and see how it is received. If she has any proof then she should bring it forward and we will act on it.
Government Contracts February 12th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, let us quote the Auditor General in her testimony before the public accounts committee today. She said:
Within our system the minister of the department has responsibility of that department. I think, quite frankly, most people would not expect even the minister to know all of the day-to-day operations. Some people would call into question how appropriate it is for a minister to become involved....
Government Contracts February 12th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the reality is that what the member can do if he has a concern is bring it forward, put it on the table, let people look at it. The problem is he wants us to render the judgment before we have the evidence.