Paul Martin

[Sponsorship Program, March 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, is it possible that the leader of the Bloc Quebecois does not understand the meaning of the word yes? I have just said that, if the committee wants this, certainly the Liberals are willing and have moreover already demonstrated their willingness. It will be done. So yes means yes.

[Sponsorship Program, March 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I have already answered that question. I said that if a motion is passed, which is the way it should be, they will be.

I would like to raise another issue. It is passing strange that on a day in which the Secretary General of the United Nations comes to this House, and in a week in which we are sending troops to Haiti, that not one time can the opposition make any reference to the fact that our men and women are going off to defend this country.

[Sponsorship Program, March 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I just finished saying in the House that if the committee would like to pass a motion asking for documents, as long as they are in conformity with the Auditor General's report, those documents will be tabled. All they have to do is pass the motion.

[Sponsorship Program, March 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the motion called for all cabinet documents pertaining to the sponsorship program. That is what was done. If the member would like to bring forward another motion then let him do so.

[Sponsorship Program, March 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, the materials that were provided were provided in full compliance with the motion that had been passed.

Now if what the hon. member is saying is that he would like to see further materials, as long as there is a motion from the committee or from the inquiry, and as long as they are in conformity with the Auditor General's report, I am sure the government will do its best.

[Sponsorship Program, February 24th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned the other day, at the time that each minister was either named or reconfirmed as a minister of the crown, we went extensively into the person's background. At a cabinet meeting some two weeks ago, I asked every minister if he or she had any knowledge of wrongdoing at the time that this was going on, and my ministers responded in the negative. I have complete confidence in my ministers.

[Sponsorship Program, February 24th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the House might be interested in knowing that in the riding of Edmonton—Strathcona, in the year 2003-04, les Jeux francophones de l'Alberta received $5,000. That is in the hon. member's riding.

[Equalization Payments, February 24th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, not only has there been no encroachment, but we talked with the big cities about immigration, the environment, our infrastructure capabilities, and the partnership we have enjoyed for years and years. We worked very hard and it was an excellent meeting. I want to congratulate the mayors of the big cities for holding this meeting, for taking this initiative, and for showing leadership for all cities in Canada.

[Sponsorship Program, February 24th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is talking absolute nonsense. Every member in this House knew of the sponsorship program. They applied for it.

I referred to those who knew of wrongdoing at the time that it took place. The environment minister did not know of wrongdoing. The members of this cabinet did not know of wrongdoing at that time. Those are the facts. The hon. member ought to get his facts straight.

[Sponsorship Program, February 24th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, where indeed was the wrongdoing? In fact, my understanding is that the article said that the environment minister was scrupulous in the way in which he handled it. That is a direct quote.