Mr. Speaker, I wrote a letter to the member for LaSalle--Émard on Sunday afternoon. This letter was read to him Sunday afternoon. A couple of hours later we had a new Minister of Finance. The facts are clear. The letter is on the record.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 54% of the vote.
Member for LaSalle--Émard June 3rd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I wrote a letter to the member for LaSalle--Émard on Sunday afternoon. This letter was read to him Sunday afternoon. A couple of hours later we had a new Minister of Finance. The facts are clear. The letter is on the record.
Member for LaSalle--Émard June 3rd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I asked all members of cabinet who legitimately want to become Prime Minister one day to stop campaigning at this time for various reasons and to focus strictly on government business.
Everyone fully understood. At this time, everyone has accepted this decision, including the former Miniser of Finance.
Member for LaSalle--Émard June 3rd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, after the letter had been read and some lines in it corrected by the former minister of finance, he knew that he was not the minister of finance any more. No, I did not tell him that I would have a ceremony right after that because it was irrelevant. He was no longer the minister of finance. I had already talked with the Deputy Prime Minister, who will be, as his predecessor, an excellent Minister of Finance.
Government of Canada June 3rd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, if the opposition party wants to dare us and wants to have a campaign arguing against the minister of finance, who quit on Sunday afternoon, and the policy of our government with this minister, we will never be afraid to face the NDP across the land.
Government of Canada June 3rd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, that is purely a hypothetical question and nobody wants to have an election at this time.
Government Contracts June 3rd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I have been the head of this government for nine years and all of us on this side of the House are proud of its performance.
On Friday, the newspapers mentioned that economic indicators for the first quarter of this financial year show a 6% growth in Canada.
Government Contracts June 3rd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I never believed that he could be the messenger.
The letter that I sent to him on Sunday afternoon reflects the discussions that we had, he himself, people in my office and myself, during the previous 48 hours.
Government Contracts June 3rd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the intellectual dishonesty of this party leader is unbelievable.
What I said was “If money has been stolen, even millions of dollars, the guilty parties will have to go to court and face the consequences”. This is what I have always said, and the RCMP is doing its job at this time, as is the auditor general, in order to ensure that, if money has been lost, the guilty will be punished.
Government Contracts June 3rd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I made a speech on this in the House of Commons two weeks ago. I intend to present the eight point program this week, or early next week. I note, for example, that the Alliance Party is already indicating that it does not want to participate in having a code of conduct for MPs, senators and ministers approved by the House of Commons.
Ethics June 3rd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I want to have a bit of fun. I have here an ad paid for by an unknown subscriber to defeat Jim Hawkes. The citizens coalition gave money to the Leader of the Opposition to defeat a very good member of the House at that time, who is in the gallery today and who I want to salute, Jim Hawkes.