Scott Brison

[Sponsorship Program, January 31st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I thought it was bad enough when opposition members were commenting on testimony that had already occurred at the Gomery commission but now they want to comment on testimony that they hope to occur before the Gomery commission.

Whether or not the testimony has or has not occurred, whether or not they are predicting or hoping that particular testimony will occur, it is improper for the opposition to be commenting on testimony before the Gomery commission. We should support the Gomery commission, as is the case with the government, and wait for his analysis. We look forward to his report, as do all Canadians.

[Sponsorship Program, January 31st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member has information that pertains to the sponsorship program he should submit it. The Bloc is in fact an intervenor to the Gomery commission. I would urge him to submit any information he has. Justice Gomery will continue to work hard and provide his sound analysis on behalf of all Canadians.

[Sponsorship Program, January 31st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I will explain once again that the information that Justice Gomery is comfortable with and accepts as full disclosure on behalf of the government is the same information.

The fact is that the government committed to providing all pertinent information as it pertained to the mandate of the Gomery commission. The government provided that information. Justice Gomery is totally satisfied. The real question is why the opposition is not satisfied with Justice Gomery's satisfaction with the government's response and why the opposition is interfering with the work and the analysis of Justice Gomery.

[Sponsorship Program, January 31st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will no doubt benefit from the knowledge that the information that Justice Gomery is satisfied with today is the same information that was provided to Justice Gomery earlier. With the discussions this morning between the government counsel and the counsel representing the commission it was agreed that the information was fully consistent with the government's commitment to provide all the cabinet confidences that pertain to the mandate of the Gomery commission.

[Sponsorship Program, January 31st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to report to the House that government and inquiry counsel met today and resolved all outstanding issues to the satisfaction of all parties. In fact, Justice Gomery is very much satisfied with the response of the government because he knows that this Prime Minister and this government have provided full cooperation, openness and transparency and support for Justice Gomery's work. We support Justice Gomery's work and we will continue to do so.

[Canada Border Services Agency Act, December 13th, 2004]

How is David Orchard, Peter? You are from the valley; you know something about those orchards.

[Millennium Partnership Program, December 13th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the millennium program was actually operated by an independent bureau under the leadership of the Right Hon. Herb Gray. There were audits conducted and those audits found that the money was directed appropriately. The Government of Canada was proud to play a positive role in helping Canadians and Canadian community based organizations celebrate the new millennium from coast to coast to coast.

[Millennium Partnership Program, December 13th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, Treasury Board conducted audits of the workings of the millennium partnership program. These audits noted in the reports that there was a very detailed and clear explanation of how its budget was spent and why. The millennium program was operated properly and helped Canadians from coast to coast celebrate the new millennium.

[Millennium Partnership Program, December 13th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, an independent millennium bureau actually oversaw the work of the program. It was led by the Right Hon. Herb Gray. The program worked well, supporting community based celebrations across Canada.

In fact, the program does not need to be reviewed now as it is over because the last millennium is over. If the hon. member was not aware of that, I am glad to inform him of that.

Through the millennium program the Government of Canada was proud to help Canadians from coast to coast to coast celebrate the closure of the last millennium at the dawn of an exciting new one.

[Millennium Partnership Program, December 13th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I answered this question last week. In fact, the millennium program worked extremely well. It was run by a former deputy prime minister of the House, the Right Hon. Herb Gray, who served Canadians extraordinarily well through almost four decades of public service. As a tribute to this fine Canadian, I reject the premise of the hon. member's question.