Alfonso Gagliano

[Canada Information Office, May 31st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, if I understand the Bloc Quebecois questions correctly this afternoon, when the Government of Quebec communicates, it is information, but when the Government of Canada communicates, it is propaganda.

I think that enough is enough. I think that they should ask their head office how much it is spending to promote sovereignty. I think that from where we stand the Government of Canada is entitled to promote the Canadian federation.

[Canada Information Bureau, May 31st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the main purpose of the ministerial tour of Quebec is to inform Quebecers about Government of Canada programs and about what the Government of Canada is doing.

At the same time, we are a government with an attentive ear. We are there to listen and to ensure that the programs of the Government of Canada meet the needs of the population.

Therefore, we do so in a co-ordinated manner, and will continue to do so.

[Canada Information Bureau, May 31st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I can see that the ministerial tour is starting to have a good effect on the Bloc Quebecois member. As I have explained, on various dates, several ministers—

[Canada Information Bureau, May 31st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, first of all I will say again, the contracts are competitive.

Second, as far as the Quebec ministerial tour is concerned, several ministers are involved. A number of different matters are involved as well, because the purpose in going there is to inform Canadians. We meet with municipal representatives, Chamber of Commerce people, and community groups. We want to ensure that there is proper follow-up.

Therefore, the services of these people are retained through a competitive contract in order to ensure that co-ordination is properly carried out.

[Canada Information Office, May 31st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, immediately upon being appointed minister responsible for Quebec, I gave very clear directives to the CIO to the effect that it had to comply with Treasury Board policies. Any contract of more than $25,000 must be awarded through a competitive bidding process, through a call for tenders, and this is what the CIO did.

[Canada Information Office, May 31st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I repeat, contracts, specifically those for the tour mentioned by the member, were put out to tender.

[Canada Information Office, May 31st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the House that for the past two years any contract over $25,000 has been competitive.

[Canada Information Office, May 30th, 2000]

—and all contracts relating to the ministerial tour were tendered.

I understand that the Bloc Quebecois does not take kindly to the ministers' visit to Quebec. It bothers then that Quebecers are made aware of what the Government of Canada is doing for them. That is what makes them uncomfortable.

Yes, we are going to continue, because Quebecers are entitled to have all—

[Canada Information Office, May 30th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the Canada Information Office follows Treasury Board guidelines—

[Canada Information Office, May 30th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the hon. member that we are going to continue because Quebecers and all Canadians want to receive information from the government.

The ministerial tours in question are specifically for the purpose of informing Quebecers about the programs the Government of Canada has put in place for them, which the Bloc Quebecois members do not promote. The only thing they promote is destruction of the country.