Jacques Saada

[Points of Order, March 10th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I am having a quick look at Hansard and I remember very well having said the words that are here and they are very clear. I said, “I regret that the obligation was not fulfilled—”. Those were not my exact words, but now I am quoting:

However, I wish to remind hon. members that all this information was published in the Canada Gazette. I also wish to inform the House that the internal follow-up procedure has been tightened up to avoid a repeat of this situation.

Those are the words I spoke and I do not see where they are going with this or why.

[Points of Order, March 10th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the Right Hon. member has spoken of a manipulation of Hansard , if I understand correctly. That is an allegation I refute clearly and unequivocally.

As for the details of his allegation, I did not hear the beginning. I reserve the right to look at Hansard in detail before I give him an answer.

Whatever the facts, one thing is certain: no one on my side has tried to change anything at all in the text of Hansard . It is an absolutely ridiculous allegation.

[Order in Council Appointments, March 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, a number of Order in Council appointments made recently by the government.

Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 110(1) these are deemed referred to the appropriate standing committees, a list of which is attached.

[Privilege, March 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the right hon. member for Calgary Centre pointed out that the government had not tabled the appointments published in the Canada Gazette , as prescribed under Standing Order 110.

I wish to thank the right hon. member for Calgary Centre for bringing this issue to the attention of the House. I am pleased to inform the House that those orders in council will be tabled in the House today, pursuant to Standing Order 110. These orders in council relate to the appointments made between October 28, 2003 and February 27, 2004.

I regret that this obligation was not fulfilled. However, I wish to remind hon. members that all this information was published in the Canada Gazette . I also wish to inform the House that the internal follow-up procedure has been tightened up to avoid a repeat of this situation.

[Sponsorship Program, March 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the stones will be turned by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the independent commission of inquiry and the legal counsel responsible for recovering funds, if need be. Measures were also taken by Treasury Board to improve the situation and the way things are being managed.

My colleague opposite is afraid of offending me. I am sorry but I am going to start feeling that way today about this situation. That accusation is quite ridiculous and unfounded, in my opinion.

[Sponsorship Program, March 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, it is important to point out that we have often seen the party opposite say no when it really meant yes. So, they are in no position to lecture anyone.

With regard to the committee, there is a very simple way to proceed. A commission of inquiry was established and a parliamentary committee is working on this. This is extremely simple. Everything is out in the open. They should simply make sure that they put the facts on the table, if they have any.

[Sponsorship Program, March 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge, this is the first time in the history of our Parliament that cabinet documents have been made available to a parliamentary committee. A commitment had been made to provide the parliamentary committee with documents relating to allegations made by the Auditor General in her report. If anything else is required, let the committee pass a motion to that effect. The Prime Minister said so just moments ago.

[Sponsorship Program, March 8th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, there is something rather vicious about connecting facts that have absolutely nothing to do with each other.

A commission of inquiry has been established. The Standing Committee on Public Accounts is also dealing with this. If there are any allegations to be made, let them be made there and let any supporting documents or other proof be tabled there.

But enough of these unfounded accusations. They are both pointless and unhealthy and, in my opinion, reflect badly on everyone in political life.

[Sponsorship Program, March 8th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I understand that my colleague across the way is so obsessed by politics that he forgets that we are human beings first and foremost. I understand that he has forgotten that, if we have friends that go back more than 20 years, the fact that we are elected does not mean that we should completely eliminate everything we experienced before we entered politics.

Before he was even a candidate for the first time, there was a friendship between Mr. Boulay and the colleague in question dating back more than 20 years. So, let us stop throwing around accusations that are pointless and even scandalous.

The real scandal is this systematic smearing by the opposition.

[Sponsorship Program, March 8th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I am having a hard time understanding why my colleague keeps on talking about dirty money when there is not an ounce of evidence. This is a purely gratuitous allegation. I do not see any basis for his claim.

What I propose is extremely simple: instead of throwing around accusations that only serve to smear reputations, if there are documents or facts to present, then he should put them on the table and we will consider them. Until then he should stop throwing mud just for the sake of it.