Alfonso Gagliano

[Canada Information Office, June 6th, 2000]

It bothers them that the Canada Information Office tells Quebecers about everything the Canadian government is doing. At the same time, it is collecting information in order to be able to create programs that meet people's needs.

Now they are reduced to looking for commas and periods.

[Canada Information Office, June 6th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I know that the Canada Information Office is creating problems for the Bloc—

[Canada Information Office, June 6th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the hon. member should look to the mother house and grasp the fact that the Government of Quebec, with its great organization, is handing out contracts to individuals to do analyses.

I can tell you about a contract worth $10,000 that they handed out for an analysis of sponsorship agreements signed by departments over the past three years, develop a policy and a table of comparison and make recommendations.

Perhaps he should put the question to the Government of Quebec and their mother house.

[Canada Information Office, June 6th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, as I said at the outset, in its early years, the CIO lacked the organization it needed to fulfil its mandates internally. So it turned to professional firms, and that is what Mr. Mongeau did.

[Canada Information Office, June 6th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, again, Mr. Mongeau was asked to provide services to the CIO and I believe he provided these services according to the treasury board's rules and guidelines.

I realize that the member, the leader of the Bloc Quebecois, may not agree with all the things we do to improve the situation in Quebec and to be in touch with Quebecers to explain what the Canadian government does for them. I know they are not pleased with this situation, because they are only here to destroy the country, while we are here to build it for all Canadians.

[Canada Information Office, June 6th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, during its first few years, the Canada Information Office, which is a small body, had to rely on outside professional services, until there were enough public servants to allow it to do its job. Mr. Mongeau was paid for his professional services.

[Canada Information Office, June 5th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, as I said, it is clear that Bloc Quebecois members are getting nervous about our ministerial tours.

I want to share with the House what I read in L'information du Nord of November 20, 1999:

Municipal authorities, officials from the chamber of commerce and the economic development centre, representatives of the senior citizens group, all enjoyed this meeting of about one hour with Mrs. Robillard, who is on a provincial tour. Several future projects for Sainte-Agathe were discussed. The minister was informed about our situation, while we learned more about available programs.

The comments of the mayor of Sainte-Agathe—

[Canada Information Office, June 5th, 2000]

No, Mr. Speaker.

I have already explained that the ministerial tour of Quebec is strictly governmental. We meet with municipal representatives, chambers of commerce and community groups for the purpose of discussing Government of Canada programs. While there, we listen to them, so that our programs will reflect public needs.

[Canada Information Office, June 5th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, first, I wish to point out to the member that I have a number of responsibilities: Canada Post Corporation, CMHC, the CIO and the Department of Public Works and Government Services.

Second, all contracts complied with treasury board regulations and were put out to tender.

[Canada Information Office, June 2nd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out to the hon. member that there is no media surveillance going on; what we are doing is monitoring the media, analysing press coverage.

Moreover, the Bloc Quebecois is doing the same thing every day; all parties do. That is what we are doing. There is no surveillance; it is media analysis and a press review to be used by various ministers responsible for the departments requesting it.