Scott Brison

[Sponsorship Program, May 20th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I would draw the hon. member's attention to today's National Post editorial. It states:

Leading up to the vote, the Conservatives indicated that they would live with the result either way. Now, it's time for them to make good on their word. Rather than trying to create the winning conditions for a non-confidence vote in the next few weeks, all opposition parties should do their best to contribute productively to the business of Parliament.

Asking the same question over and over again is a waste of time on the floor of the House of Commons. They should be talking about health care, about education, about investing in housing, about some of the positive major changes--

[Sponsorship Program, May 20th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I repeat once again that if the party has received inappropriate funds, it will reimburse the taxpayers.

It is not possible to do that without having all the facts. The establishment of a trust fund is an important act of good faith from the party that is doing the right thing to ensure that we get to the bottom of this issue and that the Canadian taxpayer is treated fairly.

[Sponsorship Program, May 20th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has been clear and the party has been clear. Any inappropriate funds will be returned to the Canadian taxpayer. The establishment of a trust fund and the placement of $750,000 in that trust fund is an offer of good faith. That is an interim step.

Again, it is important to recognize that we cannot actually complete the transaction, the repayment to the Canadian taxpayer, without all the facts. That is why it is important that we allow Justice Gomery to complete his work.

[Sponsorship Program, May 20th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, clearly, as with any allegations before Gomery, we will investigate and we will ensure that prudence is taken and that the interests of Canadians are served. At the same time, we will not conduct a witch hunt based on unproven allegations.

At the end of the day we will do the right thing, and we will ensure that both the reputations and interests of individuals are protected and that we at the same time defend the interests of the Canadian taxpayer.

[Sponsorship Program, May 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago that hon. member stood in the House and quoted something that I supposedly said. In fact, it turned out that somebody else had said it and he has refused to apologize to the House for misleading the House at that time. He demonstrates that he does not deserve the respect this House ought to provide to members when he refuses to actually retract that which is not true.

Beyond that, he is the hon. member who said that the only person who believes Chuck Guité is Chuck Guité and then a few weeks later was saying that Chuck Guité's testimony was sacrosanct. He has no credibility.

[Sponsorship Program, May 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I have been clear. The fact is that the Liberal Party has established a trust fund and will be placing $750,000 in that trust fund. That is the right thing to do. In fact, it is an interim step that demonstrates good faith, but the most important commitment is that of returning any funds received inappropriately to the Canadian taxpayers.

Let us be clear. There are allegations against the Conservatives. There are allegations against the Bloc.

There is only one leader of any federal political party, and that is our Prime Minister, with our Liberal Party, who is doing the right thing to get to the bottom of this issue and ensure that Canadian taxpayers are treated fairly.

[Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, May 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the fact is that my office has been working with the chairman's office to schedule times. This was complicated somewhat by the fact that the Conservative members of that committee and the Bloc members of that committee decided to take a holiday that week instead of working. In fact, my office offered to meet with the committee tomorrow as well, but those members over there believe in a four day work week.

Let me say that Liberal members of Parliament are working five days a week and seven days a week in the interests of Canada. We do not believe in four day work weeks. We do not believe in taking time off and voting ourselves days off.

[Sponsorship Program, May 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the public works minister never said that at all. These are serious allegations. We take them seriously for Canadians. That is why we are supporting Justice Gomery in getting to the truth. Anybody who used the brand of the Liberal Party of Canada to commit malfeasance, to harness the unity crisis for financial gain, ought to and will face the full extent of the law.

We as Liberals stand with Canadians demanding justice to ensure that the right thing is done.

[Sponsorship Program, May 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, clearly the party, by establishing a trust fund in the amount of $750,000, intends to put $750,000 in the trust fund in the very near term.

The fact is the Conservatives' entire line of questioning today is based on a false premise. We are doing the right thing. The Liberal Party is doing the right thing. It is time for other members and parties in the House to do the right thing, clear up their own conspiracies and difficulties, stand up for Canadians and the truth, support Justice Gomery and let him do his work.

[Sponsorship Program, May 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, no other member of the House has to smear the hon. member for Calgary—Nose Hill because she smears herself when she refuses to apologize to the member for York West for the months of criticisms, attacks and smears that she launched on the floor of the House. Now that the member for York West has been cleared by the Ethics Commissioner, the hon. member should not be taken seriously until she offers her apology.

She smears herself. Nobody else has to do it.