John Manley

[Government Grants, May 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, why does the member not have the courage to stand in this place and acknowledge that Holland College is not the solicitor general's brother's college? It is a public institution. Why does the member not have the courage to stand in this place and admit that he is trying to, without foundation, smear the reputation of an hon. member of the House, a minister who has served with distinction? Why does the member not admit that he has taken one step too many in this ongoing crusade to try to destroy people's reputations?

[Government Grants, May 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, there was not a proposal made on behalf of the brother of the solicitor general. There was a proposal made on behalf of Sheridan College, Holland College and the University of Moncton. It was not for the private or personal benefit of anyone related to the minister.

It is time we realized that ministers have a job to do that requires them to take a position in public life. The fact that he received a proposal and passed it on--

[Government Grants, May 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I think we have had about enough of this particular drive-by smearing by the Alliance Party. The proposal was not made--

[Government Contracts, May 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I think the member is exaggerating.

In any case, I believe that a member's behaviour and the right to privacy allow us to avoid answering questions about his private life.

I believe that the contract in question followed the treasury board standards. This was a contract recommended by the Department of Public Works and Government Services. There is no need for more questions.

[Government Contracts, May 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the minister already explained that he misunderstood the questions.

In any case, he was not even required to answer questions regarding his conduct when he was a backbencher.

[Government Contracts, May 28th, 2002]

But at any rate, he was not obliged to give any answer to questions relating to his conduct while a backbencher.

[Government Contracts, May 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the minister has already said that he had not properly understood the questions.

[Government Contracts, May 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is not a question of the minister of immigration's friends. If there are questions about the contract, the same holds as for the other contracts. This is something that could be looked at by the auditor general.

She is the one who conducted the investigations which were requested by the government. She will continue to do so. She has already said that she will continue to do so, and we will respond directly to the auditor general's recommendations.

[Government Contracts, May 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, this contract was permitted under treasury board rules. It was approved by the department of public works.

As I have repeatedly said, the actions of a member who is not a minister are not covered by the ethics code.

[Government Contracts, May 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member keeps trying to subject to the code of ethics the actions of an MP who was not a minister. This is neither the proper level, nor the proper standard.

We will develop a code for MPs and senators. I hope that the members of the Bloc will support us when we do so.