Information & Ethics committee  If I can respond, as I said to Monsieur Rivard, Sherbrooke is a major media poll in Quebec.

Information & Ethics committee  No, I have no comment on that. I realize that the central party—any party—can give money to the local riding association, but when we examined this further I became convinced it was only a legitimate local expense if we in fact spent it, which was not the case.

Information & Ethics committee  I don't think it is incumbent on me to explain that. I was not a party to it in any way and I am unaware of the circumstances. The only thing I feel obliged to comment on is our behaviour and our actions in Compton--Stanstead.

Information & Ethics committee  After what happened and my concern that the Conservative Party was no longer interested in rehabilitating parliamentary institutions, as they did in 2004—

Information & Ethics committee  I decided to withdraw from the Conservative Party. I consulted my supporters and am now the candidate for the Green Party of Canada.

Information & Ethics committee  At the time, I was no longer a member of the Conservative Party. I had decided to stop being a member, and not to contest the nomination. However, I notified Mr. Rivard, when he told me that the party lawyers were available to us, that we would prefer to deal with this matter ourselves because I had been the candidate.

Information & Ethics committee  We decided to observe the Elections Canada interpretation and to refile our return without this money as a valid expense.

Information & Ethics committee  I was invited, and I agreed to come and give evidence because it is a duty. I consider parliamentary institutions to be very important. I felt some trepidation about what I saw this morning, but I thank the Chair for having reassured me before the meeting.

Information & Ethics committee  The total was about $37,000.

Information & Ethics committee  Nine thousand dollars.

Information & Ethics committee  Except for the signs, which were paid for by the party. That $37,000 amount included about $3,400 for the signs.

Information & Ethics committee  That's right.

Information & Ethics committee  I presume.

Information & Ethics committee  He was the person in charge of supervising the official agents in Quebec.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes.