Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has just said that the RCMP is doing its job well and is doing its duty as far as these matters are concerned. Anyone who has defrauded the government will have to face the consequences before the courts.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 54% of the vote.
Government Contracts September 15th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has just said that the RCMP is doing its job well and is doing its duty as far as these matters are concerned. Anyone who has defrauded the government will have to face the consequences before the courts.
Government Contracts September 15th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the RCMP is doing the job that the government asked it to do. Yes, when there were some problems we asked the Auditor General to look into that. We had an internal audit of the department conducted and the RCMP has done its job.
If someone has done something wrong they will have to face the consequences of their actions.
Government Assistance June 11th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, his is getting very ridiculous. I am doing my best.
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food has been complimented by his counterparts in the west. The people involved in the industry know that we have shown concern. I have raised the problem myself with the President of the United States. I was on the phone yesterday. There were some ministers looking at solutions.
I know that NDP members will never form a government, so they do not know how we must work to make proper solutions that will be lasting.
Government Assistance June 11th, 2003
Really, Mr. Speaker, this is ridiculous. I have not played golf in a month and I do not know when I will play.
The member does not want to recognize that I was on the phone yesterday with the Premier of British Columbia. We discussed the issues and he commented positively. We said that it had to be a solution involving the two levels of government. I talked to him again last night.
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food will be in western Canada on Friday and will meet with the ministers of agriculture to find solutions.
We had to wait for the results from the scientific community. It reported this week and now we are working to find an--
Government Contracts June 11th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, again, the member is just making accusations. The Minister of Public Works talked about all the steps that have been taken and that all these files have been looked into by the Auditor General as well as cases being referred to the RCMP. There was an internal audit.
He is making accusations saying that Mr. Gagliano was refused by the Vatican. It is absolutely not true.
Government Contracts June 11th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, as I said, the ethics counsellor examined the matter at the request of Mr. Gagliano himself. He made a public report. This is an institution that did not exist before. There was no ethics counsellor before this government took office. In each case referred to him, the ethics counsellor has published a report, appeared before committees and explained his reasoning. This is an institution that is new and evolving. A new bill will be passed shortly to improve it. However, I am proud that we, here in the House, have been pioneers in this.
Agriculture June 11th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, we must assure everybody that there is no disease in Canada. It was only one cow and the system worked well. We have acted very diligently. Scientists, who came from other nations, have looked at the file and complimented the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the people working on the file from the Government of Alberta for having moved quickly.
That is the way to deal with it, not try to score political points. We must do it in a responsible way.
Agriculture June 11th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, we must be very careful when there is a question of public safety. The member should recall the problem we had with P.E.I. potatoes for a number of years. I spoke with the President time and time again. The Americans were using the health problem to ban potatoes.
At this moment it is very important not to make a mistake. Our people must convince their counterparts in the United States on a scientific basis first.
Of course, if there is a need for me to speak to the President, I will be happy to speak with him and I am sure that he will be happy to speak with me.
Agriculture June 11th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, at this moment Canadian scientists are discussing the file with their counterparts in the United States. We must prove to them scientifically that everything is safe.
At this moment the best course is to let the scientists resolve the problem among themselves. Of course, if there is a need at one time to speak with the President, I will be happy to do that. I have already discussed this problem with him when I was in Europe last week.
Government Appointments June 10th, 2003
Yes, because he wanted to clear up the matter. The ethics counsellor looked into that and reported publicly. The work of the ethics counsellor, it is his work. They say he did not do a good job, but very often the opposition refers cases to him for investigation, so they must have confidence in him if they request him to look into matters.