House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Government Contracts June 17th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian forces are obviously extremely important to all Canadians, as evidenced by their excellent work around the world.
In terms of the government's action with respect to advertising, we made the very firm commitment that where there were administrative mistakes, they would be corrected. Where there were overpayments, they would be recovered. Where there was conduct that could be considered illegal, that would be referred to the police and prosecuted if appropriate.
Government Contracts June 17th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I have commented on both of the matters to which the hon. gentleman refers on other occasions. I simply make the point that as I go through the files to find where there were errors, mistakes and problems that need to be corrected, I make no attempt to justify them. I seek out what is wrong and aim toward solutions to solve the problem for the future.
Government Contracts June 17th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I take very seriously the allegations that work was performed without consultation with the appropriate department or that money was paid without value having been received. My investigation with respect to this file is ongoing. As with all other files, if there is anything here that merits the intervention of police, I will refer the case automatically.
Government Contracts June 17th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, there is obviously no attempt here to conceal anything in the process. Whenever there is a matter that comes to my attention or to the attention of my officials that merits a reference to the police, that reference is made immediately. That is not only a public duty, it is something that is in fact required by the Financial Administration Act with which we are compliant.
Government Contracts June 17th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has obviously presented the House with a rather phony choice.
The facts of the matter are that the treasury board and the president of the treasury board insist upon departments having strong internal audit sections. In this case it was the internal audit department of Public Works and Government Services Canada that discovered the error. It discovered that in fact certain activity was not consistent with the standards established by the treasury board and insisted that corrective action be taken, which is now the case.
Government Contracts June 17th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, consistency with treasury board guidelines and other provisions such as the Financial Administration Act are supervised and policed within the government system through the process of audits, either internal audits conducted by departments or the work of the auditor general.
In this case the internal audit discovered that there was activity that was not consistent with treasury board standards. Accordingly, the appropriate corrective action was taken.
Government Contracts June 17th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the way in which financial standards and management practices and government systems are policed and supervised within the government is through the process of audits. First, there are the internal audits conducted by the departments themselves and then of course there are the official audits that are done from time to time by the auditor general.
In this case my department has obviously done its work because it was the internal audit in 2000 that discovered a number of these difficulties in the past. The auditor general will be conducting a government-wide audit.
Government Contracts June 17th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I have indicated that for the last two to three weeks or so I have had this file under review. We are examining all the dimensions of it including whether or not there were requirements by the Department of Justice or whether or not some other set of circumstances prevailed. As in all the cases, if there is something untoward that comes to my attention, we will refer the matter to the appropriate authorities.
Government Contracts June 17th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I have responded to direct inquiries about this matter on a number of occasions. I have indicated why I am reluctant to engage in this type of discussion.
First of all, I do not want to inadvertently by this dialogue end up tipping off those that the police wish to investigate. Second, with respect to references by the government, that is not synonymous with the police investigation. It is the police themselves who determine after a reference has been made whether an investigation will be pursued.
Government Contracts June 17th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, all of the files with respect to Polygone projects are under review. As that review moves forward, if there is appropriate action that needs to be taken either in further references to police authorities or otherwise, that will be done as we have already demonstrated is consistently the case.