Ralph Goodale

[Government Contracts, June 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, there is a precise section in the release issued yesterday by the Prime Minister dealing with strengthening public service management and accountability for public funds.

In addition to that, the President of the Treasury Board is developing a new governance system and a new management framework to make sure that the problems of the past are not repeated.

[Government Contracts, June 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is more than a communications strategy. The departments involved launched an action plan to respond specifically to the audit findings of the internal audit section of Public Works and Government Services Canada.

Over the course of the year 2001 those audit recommendations were implemented. In the spring of this year we sent the internal audit team back in to verify that corrective action had in fact been taken.

[Government Contracts, June 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, to identify past problems and make sure they are corrected, we have launched a departmental review. The auditor general will conduct a government wide examination. The police are informed whenever there are circumstances that raise legal issues. The treasury board is examining the management framework and the governance system. The public accounts committee is making inquiries.

The government is proceeding on all fronts to correct the errors of the past. For the future we intend to have a good, solid, transparent program that does not engage the services of external aids.

[Government Contracts, June 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would point out to the hon. gentleman that before the Prime Minister's announcements yesterday he already instructed the President of the Treasury Board to review the governance system and the management system with respect to all advertising, all sponsorships and all polling. That was before yesterday's announcement and it is proceeding under the President of the Treasury Board.

[Privilege, June 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I commend the member for his enthusiasm. He is obviously trying to apply the rules with respect to privilege to an issue that he calls a point of order. The matter is rather all fouled up procedurally.

I would like to respond to the substance of his point. Earlier today he asked a question having to do with references to police authorities. It was followed up by a question from the member for Crowfoot. For the information of the House and to ensure that the hon. member heard the subsequent answer let me repeat for the record that I am aware of no other police references other than those that have already been commented on in the public domain. I want to be clear about that matter and to contribute to this discussion in the interests of transparency.

With respect to the questions that were asked a week ago tonight in committee of the whole on the estimates of the Department of Public Works and Government Services, my officials with me that evening were taking careful note of the various questions that were asked. Some of them, like the membership of the communications committee, are relatively straightforward matters. Others require a fair bit of research in order to provide the kind of accuracy and precision that the hon. member has requested. I can assure him that I have asked my officials to proceed through the full list of questions as rapidly as possible to provide the information to the hon. member and to all members of the House at the earliest possible date.

I am committed to transparency in this matter, as in all of my responsibilities in the House of Commons, and will try to provide complete answers to all of the questions that were asked a week ago tonight just as rapidly as I possibly can.

[Canadian Wheat Board, June 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I have not rejected the recommendation because I have not received it yet. I said in my earlier answer that I will very carefully consider what members of the House of Commons had to say.

According to legislation passed by the House, I am also obliged by law to consult with farmers. I think the opinions of farmers are just as important as the opinions of politicians.

[Canadian Wheat Board, June 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, obviously I will be very anxious to read the record from today's discussion and take into account the very valuable recommendations that are made by parliamentarians. I will also want to know what the duly elected farmers on the Canadian Wheat Board think about the matter.

[Government Contracts, June 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I believe it was on the first or second day that I was in this portfolio when I said that it would be my expectation and ambition to deliver a program like sponsorships without the intervention of external agencies.

[Government Contracts, June 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, there is nothing on the file with respect to the CBC and the Nagano games that would reveal at this stage any form of wrongdoing. The issue may be value for money and that will be the subject of the audit to be conducted by the auditor general.

[Government Contracts, June 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, at this stage all the appropriate inquiries are in fact being made. My department is reviewing all those files between 1997 and the year 2000. The auditor general will be conducting a value for money audit which will carry her through all the advertising and sponsorship issues in the government.

Where there are concerns that raise legal issues, they are referred to the police. The treasury board is examining the management framework and governance structures and the public accounts committee is conducting a public hearing.