Ralph Goodale

[Government Contracts, June 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, let me again remind the hon. gentleman of all of the steps that have been taken.

Indeed the internal audit was conducted at the instigation of the department of public works itself. The action plan was developed and implemented. My predecessor confirmed in the spring of this year that the action plan in fact had been implemented as promised. The auditor general did her work. There is an internal review continuing by my department. Treasury board is conducting a government wide examination of the management framework, and whenever and wherever issues arise that require the attention of the RCMP, that is given.

[Government Contracts, June 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, immediately upon the conclusion of the internal audit, the department prepared an action plan to respond to that audit over the following 12 to 18 months or so. There was a review in the spring of this year to determine whether or not those audit recommendations had in fact been implemented. That review confirmed that corrective action began immediately after the year 2000 and had proceeded progressively through all of this period of time to deal with the issues.

[Government Contracts, June 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the internal audit that was conducted by the internal audit section of Public Works and Government Services Canada was an initiative launched by the department itself. The auditor general has described that work as excellent, courageous and a critical piece of work in this whole process. I think the audit section deserves a lot of credit for doing its job extremely well.

[Government Contracts, June 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, what I have said is that with respect to all other business activities beyond the sponsorship, future project applications, proposals or submissions by Groupaction will be declined. There is an issue having to do with outstanding matters that are partway through and I am going to look at every one of those on a case by case basis. I do not know how I can be clearer.

[Government Contracts, June 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know how I could be any clearer. I said that I expected the people in my department to follow my wishes in this matter. I know that they will because they will fulfill my expectations. Wherever there is presently some kind of transaction in process, I will review it personally on a case by case basis to do the right thing.

[Government Contracts, June 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as one respectful Saskatchewanian to another, let me just make the point that I made earlier.

With respect to any other marketing or communications business of any kind whatsoever, beyond and apart from sponsorships which already have been dealt with, I would fully expect my department to decline any new contract awards to Groupaction. For those projects that presently are caught in process in some way, I will of course investigate each one of them on a case by case basis.

[Government Contracts, June 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, those allegations are really beneath contempt. I have already indicated that it is my personal commitment to deal with the problems and the issues before me in a way that is open, transparent and accountable and fully respects the taxpayers' investment.

I have also indicated earlier today, perhaps if his ears were not plugged with something, that I have taken action against Groupaction.

[Government Contracts, June 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. gentleman has the audacity to make an accusation against me personally with respect to sleaze, I invite him to step outside this room, make that allegation in the public arena and he will have an appointment with my lawyer.

[Government Contracts, June 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, first, I have indicated five different ways in the House already in which this matter is being pursued.

Second, the particular activity that has been complained about by the hon. gentleman would no longer be permissible under the terms that were approved by my predecessor. He made the change already.

Third, as I have indicated, I am looking at all possible options by which I can eliminate the use of external agencies in respect to sponsorships.

[Government Contracts, June 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, there are two points. First, as I have indicated, this type of advertising activity which was previously thought to be permissible under the sponsorships program no longer is. Those changes were made by my predecessor.

Second, surely in the treatment of all of the media in Canada in terms of their relationships with the Government of Canada, the treatment should be on an equal basis whether the advertiser is in the public sector or the private sector.