House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 77% of the vote.
Government Contracts May 9th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, it just so happens that right after the study was completed an audit of the sponsorship system had to be conducted.
We have issued new guidelines and we have even held a new competition for the agencies managing these sponsorship projects. All this information is on the department's Internet site so that members and all Canadians can read it.
Government Contracts May 9th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the firm was paid to conduct a market study on sponsorships across the country.
The department received the report Officials examined it and they received and paid, I imagine, the bills. Therefore I assume that we got our money's worth.
Canada Information Office May 8th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the CIO has been conducting polls three times a year, in January, May and October, since 1998. This is the ninth poll. Therefore, these polls are not partisan measures connected with an election.
I also remind the hon. member that these polls are available to all, since they are on the CIO's Internet site.
Public Works May 7th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, this contract was given so we could improve our program. As a matter of fact, besides this study there was also an internal audit. Since then we show guidelines. All the agencies recompeted. For the year 2001-02 we will have a better program because of this work.
Public Works May 7th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, let me say that this contract was competitive. All communication agencies recompeted. Once the agencies are qualified then contracts are a given. This was not a sole source contract. It was a competitive contract.
Government Contracts May 7th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I think that the last word of the member's question says it all. That is their problem. Every time they notice the presence of the Government of Canada in Quebec, they get nervous.
The company in question was successful in a competitive bidding process, as were all the other agencies, and a contract was awarded in order to evaluate whether sponsorship programs were going to meet the objective we had set. That is what was done, in compliance with all the standards and all the rules.
Government Contracts May 7th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, there is more than one agency. Several agencies handle sponsorships.
Groupaction was therefore not evaluating just its own work, but the work in general. We asked it to look into how such a program could be improved. That is what was done.
Since then, there has also been an internal audit of the system. We have issued new guidelines. We have launched a new competition, which is almost over. And, as of now, we have a better program.
Government Contracts May 7th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, Groupaction qualified as a communications agency through a call for tenders in 1997.
As an accredited agency, it receives mandates from us to seek opinions and it also gets contracts. This is a competitive process. It is not just a contract.
Government Contracts May 7th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, Groupaction was not awarded a contract to evaluate its own work. It was awarded a contract to evaluate our sponsorship system across the country. Groupaction reported back to us. We also had an internal audit. We have issued new guidelines. We have also launched a new competition for agencies.
From now on, we will have an even better program.
National Defence May 3rd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I repeat, Lancaster Aviation is using those warehouses for warehousing services and Canadian assets are not in danger. This contract was put out for competition again in June 2000. Three firms competed and Lancaster Aviation was again the winner.
Everything in this matter has been done according to the rules and the law.