Scott Brison

[Sponsorship Program, March 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, there is no need to proceed against the Liberal Party, because it has clearly indicated that it would voluntarily return the funds if it is found that they were inappropriately managed.

The fact is that we have commenced action against 19 individuals and firms for $41 million. That action has been commenced, but there is no verdict, nor is there a report from Judge Gomery. Until we have the report from Judge Gomery, we will not have the evidence to move forward to pursue any other action. The Liberal Party has been clear that any funds will be returned to the Canadian public.

[Sponsorship Program, March 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, again, yes, the transport minister has been clear, yes, the Prime Minister has been clear and the party has been clear that if there were funds that were inappropriately received, those funds will be returned to the Canadian taxpayers. However, the party cannot act in that regard until we have all the facts. That is why it is so important that we have those facts and we wait for Justice Gomery to submit his report.

[Sponsorship Program, March 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the party has been clear.

If there were funds received inappropriately, those funds will be returned to the Canadian taxpayers. That is a promise made that will be a promise kept. However, we need to have all the facts to behave appropriately and we need to have all the facts to act. That is why we are waiting for Justice Gomery to complete his work.

[Sponsorship Program, March 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, civil suits have already been filed to recover these funds, but we are still awaiting the decision of the courts and the report by Justice Gomery. So, it is reasonable to expect that the Liberal Party will take action, but only once we have all the facts.

[Sponsorship Program, March 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, once again the Liberal Party has been absolutely clear that any funds that were inappropriately received will be returned to Canadian taxpayers once Justice Gomery has completed his report.

What is really shameless, and it is reported today in the Edmonton Journal , is that the member for Calgary—Nose Hill was not so blunt outside of the Commons following question period. She declined under persistent questioning from journalists to repeat the allegations outside of the cloak of immunity provided by the Commons. That is directly from the Edmonton Journal today.

The hon. member should read the Edmonton Journal . She should be ashamed that she used her parliamentary privilege and said things in the House, made allegations she will not make--

[Sponsorship Program, March 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I can understand why the opposition feels sheepish about the hon. member's questions today, but the fact is that the Liberal Party has been absolutely clear on this, that any funds that were inappropriately received will be returned to Canadian taxpayers. But the Liberal Party cannot keep that promise until we have all the facts and until Justice Gomery has completed his work.

It is a promise made and it will be a promise kept. I guarantee it.

[Sponsorship Program, March 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Party has been clear--

[Sponsorship Program, March 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member took a little time to read the Auditor General's report that started this entire process she would realize that of course there were issues here. That is why the Prime Minister established Justice Gomery to do his work. That is why we asked Mr. Gauthier to recommend action on financial recovery. That is why we are taking that action in order to achieve that financial recovery despite the opposition from the Conservative Party that opposes the government's efforts to stand up for the Canadian taxpayer and to stand up for justice for all Canadians.

[Sponsorship Program, March 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the government is launching a lawsuit to go after recovery of funds from some of these firms and individuals. That lawsuit has not concluded and will not be concluded until it goes through the appropriate legal process. That will be the time when we have the facts we need to pursue any other course of action.

What is really interesting is that the leader of the Conservative Party has said repeatedly that he believes that individuals have lied before Justice Gomery's commission. Yet, individuals in his own party are basing their entire line of questioning on that individual testimony. They cannot have it both ways.

The Leader of the Opposition said that--

[Sponsorship Program, March 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, it is a good thing the hon. member opposite is using the immunity of the House to protect herself in making those kinds of outrageous statements. If she, as a lawyer, were to make those kinds of statements in a courtroom without evidence, based solely on testimony before an inquiry on a daily basis, she would probably be disbarred.

She should be ashamed of herself, by dragging reputations through the mud here on the floor of the House of Commons without any firm evidence upon which to make those allegations.