House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Government Contracts June 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, in this matter the Auditor General of Canada will speak for herself. She has indicated that as a result of her previous examinations she would be conducting a government-wide audit with respect to advertising and sponsorships. It will be up to her to determine the scope of that work.
Government Contracts June 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, according to the terms of the Financial Administration Act and the responsibilities in the act that are imposed upon public officials, certain matters have been referred for investigation by the RCMP. I can confirm that there has been absolutely no communication between my office and VIA Rail.
Government Contracts June 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, again let me put this whole matter in some context. The point I want to make is that the government is absolutely determined to get to the bottom of this series of transactions.
In the first place, my department is conducting a thorough examination of all relevant time periods from 1997 to the year 2000. The auditor general is conducting a government wide audit. Where matters arise that are appropriately of interest to police authorities, those references are made. In every instance we will ensure that the process is transparent and the public interest is protected.
Government Contracts June 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I cannot confirm the preamble of the hon. gentleman's question. I do not know precisely the point to which he is referring. However, the firm that he refers to in his question was at certain relevant times the agency of record responsible for billing matters.
Government Contracts June 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, again as the hon. gentleman knows, all of the matters with respect to Groupaction are now subject to a police investigation.
Not only has the auditor general referred the matter to the RCMP, but the RCMP have publicly confirmed that they are pursuing an investigation. Accordingly, it would be highly inappropriate for us to do or say anything in the House that might impede or interfere with that investigation.
Government Contracts June 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman will know that this has been the subject of an examination by the auditor general. The auditor general has taken the step of referring matters with respect to Groupaction to the appropriate police authorities.
Question No. 147 June 4th, 2002
(a) Nil.
(b) Yes.
(c) The federal government's policy is that Canadian stakeholders that participate with the government in foreign trade law cases assume their own legal costs. Thus, the Canadian Wheat Board has assumed any legal costs it might have incurred related to its participation in the recently completed section 301 investigation by the United States, while the federal government assumed its own legal costs incurred during that investigation. A trading partner that wished to challenge Canada's trade policies in respect of the Canadian Wheat Board would bring its challenge against the Government of Canada as the signatory to the relevant international trade agreement.
Supply June 4th, 2002
Madam Chairman, perhaps after we adjourn I could take the details. I would be happy to examine the contracts and provide further information as to what they relate to.
Supply June 4th, 2002
Madam Chairman, is the hon. gentleman referring to activities under the sponsorship program? Could he be a bit more precise in identifying the contracts? As I mentioned earlier, we do business with some 60,000 contractors.
Supply June 4th, 2002
Madam Chairman, that is advice to the minister and it includes what could on occasion be confidential or proprietary information. I recognize the hon. gentleman's nice try, but no, this is information for my purposes. I am happy to share all the information I can with members of the House in response to questions but some of it is of a proprietary nature.