Scott Brison

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the minister has been clear, the Prime Minister has been clear, I have been clear, and the party has been clear that if there has been any ill-gotten gain in terms of partisan funding, the party will be guided by Justice Gomery's findings, and by both the civil lawsuit and criminal trials, which will be taken into account, and that we are absolutely committed to doing the right thing on behalf of the Canadian taxpayer.

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, this is a parallel process that has been ongoing along with the work of Justice Gomery. The Prime Minister has been clear and the government has been clear that we intended to pursue, through the work of Mr. Gauthier, a financial recovery process. In fact, we are doing exactly that.

We are keeping our promises to Canadians. Promises made, promises kept: that is good government and that is defending the taxpayers' interests on an ongoing basis as a good government.

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, we have been clear, the transport minister has been clear, the Prime Minister has been clear, and the party has been clear on the issue of partisan funds.

Beyond that, part of responding to the member would have us discussing a matter before the court and another part would have us discussing the testimony before an independent judicial inquiry. I will not stand in the House and comment on a matter before the court, nor will I comment on testimony before an independent judicial inquiry.

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, today we will be initiating proceedings before the Quebec Superior Court.

We filed to recover approximately $39 million from 19 companies and individuals. This is part of a promise that the Prime Minister made immediately after the Auditor General's report. It is a parallel process that has been communicated directly to Canadians and to Parliament throughout this process.

In fact, if the hon. members opposite were paying attention during the proceedings last winter they would be aware of this process, but I guess they do not have very good researchers or are simply dozing off during--

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, are we to assume that the new Conservative position is that we should not be going after those people who may have participated in this? This would be a remarkable decision for that party.

Let me say that we do not need to take any lessons on transparency from that party, with a leader who muzzles his caucus one day then unmuzzles his party the next day, who tries on a ongoing basis to control the thought process and speaking process of his members of Parliament and his party members, a leader who is so afraid of what his party stands for that he tries to hide it from Canadians.

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, once again there has been a parallel process aimed at financial recovery from the beginning, immediately after the Auditor General's report. The Prime Minister committed to establishing that parallel process. We have done exactly that.

I am proud of the government's response and the Prime Minister's response to the issue and of the fact that we are recovering funds on behalf of Canadian taxpayers. That is the right thing to do and that in no way, shape or form impedes Justice Gomery. What does impede Justice Gomery is the opposition's daily commentary on the testimony before Justice Gomery here on the floor of the House. That is what impedes--

[Sponsorship Program, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, from the very beginning there was a parallel process aimed at financial recovery. The Prime Minister promised from the beginning that there would be a financial recovery process.

We established that Mr. Gauthier would do that work. This in no way, shape or form impedes the work of Justice Gomery. We look forward to recovering funds on behalf of Canadian taxpayers.

This is another case of a promise made by our Prime Minister, and a promise kept by our Prime Minister.

[Government Contracts, March 10th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her question and for her diligence on these issues.

The fact is we are working with the Department of National Defence to consider our options. We are balancing the need for a competitive supplier environment with the issues of industrial benefit for all regions of the country, best value for the Canadian taxpayer and best equipment for the Canadian armed forces. We expect to issue an RFP shortly.

[Sponsorship Program, March 10th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, once again the member is commenting on testimony. We know that even this week one day's testimony has been contradicted by another day's testimony. He would be better off to wait for Justice Gomery to complete his report and to report back to Canadians. When we know the truth, we will be able to do the right thing and address those issues then.

I am sure the hon. member will be very pleased with the government's action at that point.

[Sponsorship Program, March 10th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, it is not appropriate to discuss this testimony day after day here in the House of Commons.

However, one thing that is very clear, and to which this government is absolutely committed, is that if partisan funds were received from any of the parties implicated ultimately by Justice Gomery in his final report, those funds will be returned to the people of Canada. That is a promise made and, when Justice Gomery completes his work, that will be a promise kept.

However, we have to allow Justice Gomery to complete his work.