House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 71% of the vote.
Millennium Fund December 9th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, once again, the millennium program did not have any connection to the sponsorship program. The evidence he is describing was actually raised at the public accounts committee. I would urge him to let the public accounts committee do its work. We are looking to the public accounts committee moving forward and reporting at some point on the millennium program. Quite clearly, the last millennium is over and, as such, so is the program.
Millennium Fund December 9th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the program was established to benefit Canadians and Canadian organizations across Canada. The millennium partnership program was not in fact managed by the Department of Public Works and Government Services. It was managed by the Millennium Bureau of Canada. It was established to oversee the operations of what was a temporary program because it was, of course, time sensitive based on the millennium. The program does not exist any more. It has been terminated.
Sponsorship Program December 7th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, providing cabinet confidence documents is an extraordinary step and is completely consistent with the openness and transparency of the government. It is one of the reasons that the Information Commissioner has lauded the Prime Minister and congratulated the government for its openness, transparency and accountability.
We are proud to cooperate with the Gomery commission and not to play politics like the opposition is doing. We are proud to let Justice Gomery do his work and provide all the information to Justice Gomery that is relevant to the sponsorship program. I wish the opposition would be as respectful of the work that Justice Gomery is doing.
Sponsorship Program December 7th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the fact is that the government is being totally transparent and open with the Gomery commission. We have provided cabinet documents back to 1994 that pertain to the sponsorship program.
Beyond that, as I said yesterday, there will be some documents that discuss a range of public policy items and it is only appropriate and consistent with the commitment by the government to comply and to provide the information to Justice Gomery on the sponsorship program, not to provide cabinet documents beyond that.
Sponsorship Program December 6th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the commitment was to make available to the Gomery commission all documents that were pertaining to the sponsorship issue. In fact, some documents refer to multiple public policy issues. As such, it is entirely appropriate for the government to take from those documents only those items or phrases that pertain specifically to the sponsorship issue and make those available to the Gomery commission. That was done. These issues will be debated from time to time between counsel and resolved in the Gomery commission. Let Justice Gomery do--
The Environment December 2nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the federal government is absolutely eager to move ahead on the cleaning up of the Sydney tar ponds. We are waiting to receive the project description from the Province of Nova Scotia. Once we have received that we can determine what environmental assessment track is appropriate for the project. We will work to ensure that that assessment takes place in a timely manner and that the work is completed in a timely manner.
In the meantime, we are moving ahead with the removal of the cooling pond, the realignment of Coke Ovens Brook, and the relocation of the Whitney pier waterline.
The Government of Canada is proud to play the leadership role in cleaning up the Sydney tar ponds.
Sponsorship Program December 2nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, once again, opposition members called for an independent inquiry 178 times in the months leading up to this, and the government delivered.
The opposition cannot take yes for an answer. There is an independent Gomery commission. Justice Gomery is doing his work. We respect the independence of a judicial inquiry and we will continue to cooperate fully.
I would urge the hon. member opposite that if he wants to embrace federalism, perhaps he could consider being part of the government. Otherwise, he can stay where he is.
Sponsorship Program December 2nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, again, the commitment has been kept by the government to provide documents that are relevant to the sponsorship issue to Justice Gomery.
We have remained completely true to that commitment and will continue to do so. The fact that we have done that is one reason why we are being recognized for our openness and transparency in providing cabinet documents back to 1994.
The hon. member, as someone who has never been part of a federal cabinet and never will be, perhaps does not understand the importance of cabinet confidences.
Sponsorship Program December 2nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, once again, providing over 10 million pages of documents to the Gomery commission, providing cabinet documents back to 1994 and providing that level of cooperation, openness and transparency is one reason why the Information Commissioner has lauded the government, and lauded and praised the Prime Minister for his openness, transparency and commitment to transparent government.
We are proud of what we are doing in the government to defend the interests of Canadians taxpayers, and to let Justice Gomery do his work.
Sponsorship Program December 2nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, once again, the document being referred to is a cabinet document. The commitment made was that specific documents and evidence that were relevant to the sponsorship issue would be provided to Justice Gomery. In the opinion of the government that has been done.
These discussions will occur from time to time between lawyers at the Gomery commission in terms of the issue of pertinence. We are completely committed to openness and transparency. That is exactly what we are doing. We are proud of the degree of cooperation we are providing to Justice Gomery in his work.