Mr. Speaker, that is one of the very matters I have under review at the present time.
House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Government Contracts May 31st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, that is one of the very matters I have under review at the present time.
Government Contracts May 31st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the issue that the hon. gentleman is raising is essentially the question of what value was received for the money invested. Surely it is the Auditor General of Canada who is in the best position to answer that question, and she is doing a government wide inquiry.
Government Contracts May 31st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the cultural nature of that particular initiative, the Francophonie games, fit well within the parameters of sponsorship activities. I have been advised that all appropriate administrative processes with respect to that matter were fully respected.
Government Contracts May 31st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I have been very clear and the Prime Minister has been very clear.
Where there have been administrative mistakes, those will be rooted out and corrected. If there have been any overpayments, they will be recovered. If crimes have been committed, they will be prosecuted.
Government Contracts May 31st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated in the House and outside on many occasions, all previous sponsorship files between 1997 and 2000 are currently under review by officials in my department. I am also currently reviewing all pending sponsorship applications for 2002 as well as the criteria and delivery methods for the program.
These reviews are also on top of the value for money audit that was announced earlier by the auditor general. As well, if any matters come to our attention that merit inquiry by the police officials, that will be done.
Government Contracts May 30th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I have made some inquiries with respect to this innovation television series. I would point out that this is not a sponsorship initiative. Rather, it is a partnership between the Government of Canada and the private sector to promote innovation in this country from coast to coast to coast. There are no communications agencies involved or commissions paid.
Government Contracts May 30th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, with respect to the matters pertaining to the sponsorship program, the auditor general has conducted an inquiry, she has filed a report, she has referred certain matters to the RCMP and she has indicated that she will be conducting a government-wide audit into all these matters. I would point out that once that report is filed, it is automatically referred to the public accounts committee and to all members of the House.
Government Contracts May 30th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I will examine the request that has been made by the hon. member to see if further information can be presented. She may rest assured, however, that it is my intention and my responsibility to ensure that transparency, accountability and the public interest are served by my department.
Government Contracts May 30th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I do not have that information before me. Nor do I think it may be appropriate to discuss that in the House of Commons.
However I do want to assure the hon. member that the choice of Groupe Everest was made by officials in the Department of Public Works and Government Services on the basis of the agency's standing offer with the department, and that standing offer was the result of a competitive process.
Government Contracts May 30th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, there is nothing more independent, more authoritative, than the RCMP. It will conduct the appropriate investigations. It will make the appropriate decisions. The proper course of justice will be served.