House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 77% of the vote.
Canada Information Office June 2nd, 2000
Mr. Speaker, in order to inform the public, there must also be a knowledge of what the various communities are doing so as to be able to meet their needs. That is what has been happening recently with the ministers' tour.
I would like to quote an editorial from Le Soleil of Friday September 24, 1999 “The beginnings of this new era of co-operation are promising and are creating a positive atmosphere in the Quebec City region that is most welcome”.
Canada Information Office June 2nd, 2000
Mr. Speaker, first, as I have been repeating over the last few days, the CIO awards contracts in compliance with treasury board rules.
Second, the CIO can ask companies to do an analysis of the various bills of a provincial government to provide advice to the departments involved.
Canada Information Office June 2nd, 2000
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the 1-800-O-Canada line is to enable all Canadians across the country to get information and services from the Government of Canada by simply dialling that number. Their calls are handled by a person, not a machine.
The CIO's role is to co-ordinate the communications of the government, of every department, so that Canadians know what we do. The CIO is there to ascertain what their needs are and to meet them.
Canada Information Office June 1st, 2000
Mr. Speaker, the CIO was established to co-ordinate the communications of the Government of Canada as a whole and to inform Canadians on what the Canadian government is doing for them. That is its main role, a role that is continuing to develop and that it continues to play.
As for the ministers' tour of Quebec, which so bothers the hon. members from the Bloc Quebecois—and we can understand why—this enables the Quebec ministers of the Government of Canada to—
Canada Information Office June 1st, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I would remind the member that contracts are awarded according to the ability of the individual and not his or her political stripe. He should take a look at the mother house in Quebec.
On the subject of the tour, allow me to read a few quotes from people who met the ministers during their tour, in a riding of the Bloc, the riding of Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière.
The president of the chamber of commerce of Quebec City's south shore, Réal Auclair, expressed his satisfaction at the results of the meeting held in Lévis between five ministers of the Chrétien government and some thirty representatives of the greater Quebec City area, gathered together in the Quebec committee—
Canada Information Office June 1st, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I repeat that the CIO has always followed the delegation of authority policies of the Treasury Board with respect to contracts.
For two days, Serge Paquette has been the subject of discussion. I would remind the Bloc Quebecois House leader that Mr. Paquette was a candidate in 1988. Is he not entitled to earn a living, like other Canadians?
Canada Information Office June 1st, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I repeat that the CIO has always complied with Treasury Board policy and guidelines with respect to the delegation of authority. All contracts have been awarded in accordance with this policy.
In addition, it was on March 8, a few months later, that I said why we had to change this policy. On March 8, I issued a directive that any contract over $25,000 had to be put out to tender.
I can assure the House that, since April 1, 1999, all contracts in excess of $25,000 have been put out to tender.
Canada Information Office June 1st, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I repeat that the Canada Information Office has always awarded its contracts according to Treasury Board policy.
In addition, I would say to the leader of the Bloc Quebecois and to the House that on March 8, 1999 I sent a written directive to the CIO informing it that, effective April 1, 1999, any contract over $25,000 had to be put out to tender. Those are the facts.
Canada Information Bureau May 31st, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I will say it again: I am told that all contracts in excess of $25,000 are awarded through a competitive bidding process and I stand by that statement.
Canada Information Office May 31st, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I repeat, when Quebec communicates, it is information, but when Ottawa communicates, it is propaganda.
They are free to tell Quebecers that the Government of Canada is not working, in order to advance their cause. And we should sit still and not tell Quebecers what the Canadian government is doing for people living in Quebec?
We will continue to do so in a very organized manner, so that we can provide accurate information, not Bloc Quebecois propaganda.