Mr. Speaker, I think that, at the time, the current Prime Minister was no longer a member of the cabinet.
Lost his last election, in 2006, with 35% of the vote.
Sponsorship Program February 25th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I think that, at the time, the current Prime Minister was no longer a member of the cabinet.
Business of the House February 24th, 2004
Madam Speaker, I would just like to bring to your attention that Bill C-21 will be referred to committee before second reading.
Sponsorship Program February 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, it is true that Bill C-24 effectively eliminated any possibility of having such funds in the future. It is also true that the bill regarding the ethics commissioner contains provisions for members to provide declarations of assets.
These are facts. It is concrete. It is real. The rest is nothing but hot air and allegations.
Sponsorship Program February 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, first, it is not my responsibility to authorize something in a fund that does not even belong to the Liberal Party or the government. I do not have the authority to allow this. The commission of inquiry can do so.
However, be careful. If we are going to start investigating everyone who contributes to the financing of political parties, then this has to apply to everyone. We would have to investigate all the contributions made to the Bloc Quebecois, the Conservatives and our own contributions as well.
Sponsorship Program February 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I need not remind the leader of the Bloc Quebecois that it is up to us, not him, to decide who will answer the questions.
The answer to his question is quite clear: the Liberal Party has absolutely nothing to do with the allegations made by the leader of the Bloc.
His allegations mention millions, but he has no proof. Can he produce any documents? If so, then he should table them. If he has the slightest bit of evidence, he should table it. If he has any evidence that will assist the commission of inquiry, he should table it. But he should stop making gratuitous allegations that unfairly smear the Liberal Party, which does not deserve it.
Sponsorship Program February 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc members keep changing their minds. Yesterday, they told the media they were satisfied with my answers. Today, they are no longer satisfied.
We refuse to react in kind to the Bloc's inconsistent and changing moods. A commission of inquiry had been set up to investigate this matter.
Yesterday, I said that the Liberal Party of Canada is transparent, that its books are open and that the figures published are available on the Elections Canada website.
Business of the House February 23rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. There have been discussions among all parties with regard to the bill that was introduced today, and I believe you would find that there is unanimous consent for the following:
That this bill be deemed to have been read a second time, referred to and reported without amendments from the committee, concurred in at report stage and read the third time and passed.
Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act February 23rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among all parties with regard to this bill and I believe you would find that there is unanimous consent to deem this bill now to have been read a second time, referred to and reported without amendment from the committee, concurred in at report stage, and read the third time and passed.
Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act February 23rd, 2004
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-20, an act to change the names of certain electoral districts.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Sponsorship Program February 23rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, all the funds belonging to the Liberal Party of Canada are accessible, and the contents of our books are clear, transparent and open. There is no problem.
As for funds outside the Liberal Party, the answer is simple: the commission of inquiry has all the means to investigate in this regard and to reach its own conclusions.
I cannot provide an answer on things outside the government and the party.