Peter MacKay

[Human Resources Development, February 25th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, we know that the government is caught in the past, but can the Minister of HRDC please explain why four companies, owned or partly owned by three members of the executive of the Ministry of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, received $385,000 in HRDC grants for job creations in 1997?

Many of the companies which received over $2.5 million in Kenora—Rainy River, courtesy of the overtaxed Canadian, funnelled $16,000 back to the government member in political donations.

If this is not blatant patronage, what is it?

[Cida, February 24th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the minister for CIDA has selective listening skills. We are looking for the full list. We hope she realizes that.

The CIDA audit that was released and ready in September was not read by her until December. A departmental memo also says “we will make our staff more aware of the role starting in January 2000”, six months before they wanted their employees to know of the audit in the first place. Where was the minister? Is she willing to take responsibility for this unreasonable delay?

[Cida, February 24th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, when asked for a list of companies that were audited, the president of CIDA and her department stated “This becomes an issue of how much you want to go into the public domain”. Shockingly arrogant. Heaven forbid that the Canadian public find out just how their taxpayers' dollars are being spent.

Does the minister agree with the president of CIDA, or will she release the full list of companies that were audited so we can finally get some truth and accountability from this department?

[Cida, February 24th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the international cooperation minister told us that her audit, although completed in September, was finally read by her in December.

Although this contradicted her official spokesperson and a January 24 newspaper account, it pointed out more irresponsible largesse and more frivolous spending to the tune of $850 million.

Why has it taken almost five months and questions from the opposition, again, for the minister to come forward and tell us why she has not started to deal with this damning internal audit?

[Cida, February 23rd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, that is not what we have been told.

When the audit was released, not only was it done while the House was not in session, but the minister conveniently was out of the country. Her spokesperson insisted that she had not read the audit before she left.

How could the minister have ignored this most important audit in her department since 1992? Let us try again with this minister. When did you first read the report?

[Cida, February 23rd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, it has recently come to our attention that two days before Christmas the government tried to slip by Canadians another internal audit, another damning report that chronicles poor management of millions of dollars, this time by CIDA. Among other things the report revealed little tracking, validation or monitoring of up to $850 million.

Would the Minister for International Cooperation tell Canadians, is this another classic example of flagrant mismanagement of taxpayer money?

[Cida, February 23rd, 2000]

I suppose next, Mr. Speaker, he is going to tell us it was John A. Macdonald's fault. It is nice now that everyone is here.

[Division No. 730, February 22nd, 2000]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. We have heard from the whip of the Bloc Quebecois. He seemed to indicate that there is a spirit of sweetness in the House. I would like to know if we could apply some of these votes so we might be able to get out of here to eat ice cream in the lobby.

[The Economy, February 22nd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, today the Prime Minister told truckers that the solution to their problems was to raise their rates for goods. This is the same Prime Minister who told Canadians if they did not like paying high taxes, they should just move.

Clearly the Prime Minister does not understand the impact his simplistic responses has on the cost to consumers. Did the Prime Minister consult with his finance minister before he came up with that one?

[Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act, February 21st, 2000]

Madam Speaker, in light of the announcement that was just made by the government House leader, we know that closure is being invoked again. I believe it is the 60th time in this government's reign of power, surpassing previous administrations.

However, I do have a question in terms of the government's priorities. Once again we are faced with a very contentious issue at this time in the House, as we have seen also with the clarity bill. I am wondering why we are not talking about significant issues, in particular with the run-up to the budget? Why are we not talking about health care? Why are we not talking about education and tax reduction?

Why has the government decided to foist on Canadians this contentious, destructive debate at this time instead of bringing in legislation like this at a time earlier in the session?