House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Auditor General's Report February 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, as I explained earlier, the three reports in question were verbal reports delivered with respect to live, real time focus groups while those focus groups were in progress. The files, unfortunately, failed to explain the nature of the kind of research that was being done. That was the nature of it I am told and that would be the normal way that they would be reported upon. One could not file a written report in the midst of a live focus group.
Auditor General's Report February 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I believe the hon. gentleman may be mistaken. He should, I think, be referring to three specific incidents where the reports were filed verbally, three specific incidents over a period of three years for one incident per year.
In each case I have been told they were live, real time focus groups and they were reported upon verbally while the focus group was in progress. That would be the normal professional way in which the reports would be filed.
Lobbyists February 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, in typical NDP fashion, throw as much against the fan and see how it splatters.
The point of the matter is, besides the hon. member's broadside, if she would simply like to make a specific complaint, a specific allegation, let us hear it. Let us hear it not just inside the House but outside as well.
Government Contracts February 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the government has worked very assiduously on these files. I have outlined a number of steps in the course of question period today. Most decisively, on the first day that this government came into office the program was cancelled. Within five minutes of the Auditor General's report the corrective initiatives were underway.
Budget Surplus February 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the government will obviously honour its obligation with respect to the $2 billion for health care. That is now enshrined in legislation before the House.
As I indicated in the response to an earlier question, I am now in discussions with the provinces and territories about the renewal of equalization, a new formula that will come into effect as of April 1 this year.
Agriculture February 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, in all that outburst there was not in fact a question.
I would simply point out to Canadians that the Government of Canada is absolutely determined that this matter will be thoroughly ventilated from top to bottom and the consequences will fall wherever the consequences should be. We will follow the trail and deal with this matter decisively. All the processes are in place to do that.
In the meantime, I am working very hard on a budget that will meet the expectations of Canadians.
Agriculture February 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I would remind the hon. gentleman that over the last number of months the government has invested the better part of $500 million in initiatives to deal with BSE. Officials with the Department of Agriculture spent all day yesterday in consultations with the Canadian Cattlemen's Association to determine what further might be required.
Organized Crime February 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, to the best of my knowledge, neither of the individuals are on any staff of the Prime Minister.
Organized Crime February 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. gentleman knows, the police are very much at work on this file. If it turns out that someone, anyone, did anything that was either wrong or inappropriate, the proper consequences will follow.
Equalization Payments February 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, we are taking two immediate steps with respect to equalization. First, there is legislation before the House right now to allow the existing equalization formula to continue if it physically cannot be renewed by March 31. We are also in active discussions with the provinces on the renewal process.
I will be meeting with all of the provinces at the end of next week to see if we can in fact finalize our renewal arrangements with respect to equalization.