Ralph Goodale

[The Prime Minister, April 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, what we are experiencing today in question period is a very good illustration of why the Gomery commission is important. We have a swirl of insinuations and allegations that have all been contrived to create the most negative impressions without the facts having been found and the truth being known.

I would quote distinguished Ottawa journalist Susan Riley who said recently in the Ottawa Citizen , “What is going on is hysteria, a lynch mob mentality, a potent mixture of genuine public outrage and political opportunism that threatens to derail”--

[The Prime Minister, April 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister made a very compelling argument last evening. He spoke directly to the concerns of Canadians about the crucial work of the Gomery commission and why 7 or 8 out of 10 Canadians believe it is vitally important to have that whole work completed. He spoke about political responsibility and accountability and about the calling of a national election quickly upon the publication of Judge Gomery's report.

I think Canadians will find the Prime Minister's case to be both reasonable and convincing based upon the complete unvarnished truth.

[Sponsorship Program, April 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, this question really gets to the fundamental reason for why we have the Gomery commission. A very large number of allegations have been made. The Gomery commission was struck by the Prime Minister himself to get to the bottom of all those allegations, to hear all the witnesses, to determine the facts and to make recommendations as to what the appropriate consequences ought to be.

The Gomery commission is vital to the determination of this matter and it must complete its work.

[Sponsorship Program, April 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, let us review what the Prime Minister has done in this matter.

He, himself, voluntarily and very quickly upon receiving the report of the Auditor General launched the Gomery commission. He cancelled the impugned sponsorship program on his very first day in office. He eliminated the agency that ran the program. He ordered the release of 12 million pages of normally confidential internal documentation. He launched legal action against 19 defendants to recover public money. He strengthened the rules on ethical standards and he restored the office of Comptroller General. That is action.

[Maher Arar Inquiry, April 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman will know that we have established a public inquiry. Mr. Justice O'Connor is in charge of that inquiry. We have every confidence that Mr. Justice O'Connor has both the mandate, and all the skill and professional expertise to ensure that this matter is thoroughly ventilated, as the hon. gentleman would want.

[Government of Canada, April 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday in response to a question from the hon. gentleman's leader, I would be more than happy to examine any specific suggestions that he or the NDP has to make.

Obviously the government has laid out the principles upon which we intend to proceed through, originally the throne speech and then the budget. If the opposition has suggestions, particularly if the NDP has suggestions, I would be more than happy to see specifically what they are.

[1995 Referendum, April 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Corbeil has made a number of allegations. He will ultimately be called before the Gomery commission. We need the judgment of Judge Gomery to determine the facts. He will compare the testimony of every witness against other testimony and will determine the facts.

[1995 Referendum, April 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, if Mr. Corbeil or anyone else has allegations to make of this nature, they are properly made to Judge Gomery. Judge Gomery will determine the facts.

[1995 Referendum, April 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, if there are any such allegations to be made with respect to any of the contracts referring to advertising or sponsorships, that is precisely the mandate of the Gomery inquiry. That is the way to determine the facts, independently and fairly.

I think it is obvious in a political forum such as this, on one side or the other, there are political interests to be advanced. That is not where the issues can be determined, such as those in front of Judge Gomery. He is the one who can make an independent and fair judgment.

[1995 Referendum, April 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, every bit of evidence on the public record indicates that the contracts that the hon. gentleman referred to were properly handled through the Department of Public Works according to the ordinary competitive processes.

If there are any questions left to be determined beyond that, that is why we have a judicial inquiry that will determine all of the facts to the satisfaction of all Canadians.