Information & Ethics committee  My two opposing candidates are probably Tony Ianno and Olivia Chow, at the moment. They both have $80,000 to spend. I don't have that. They already have $80,000 because they got over 10%. They're already up to their caps. They're going to spend $80,000. For my election, which I have to fight on behalf of the party with the most seats, I have $20,000.

Information & Ethics committee  I told her I wasn't attending, and they said that was fine.

Information & Ethics committee  The first time that I was asked I contacted Tasha and Karma and told them that I wasn't planning on going, but asked what is the opinion of the Conservative Party? Because, after all, when I walk in the door, I'm a Conservative; I'm not an independent. I'm still a member of the party.

Information & Ethics committee  Later I asked Carmen, and naturally, in every good organization, one would say that you should all be talking from the same points, and so she said they would give me some points. I didn't get any and decided I didn't want any. Even if she gave them to me, it would never have mattered, because I had made the decision a while ago that in any riding association that's under 10%, or just barely at 10%, you have to do something to get money from the government, a government refund.

Information & Ethics committee  So Carmen told me on Monday that the party wouldn't really be thrilled if I went, and I told her “Tough, I'm going anyway.”

Information & Ethics committee  Because when I do an election sign, I put down “authorized by the official agent”, according to the record. When I do brochures, I say “authorized by the official agent”. And on the media buys I heard on the radio, and on a variety of other things, it says “Paid by Trinity—Spadina Riding Association”.

Information & Ethics committee  I really don't know where they went. All I know is that I had a cap. I used $50,000 of it. It went into advertising. Retail Media must have put it out. Nobody's gone back to Retail Media and said, you ripped off the taxpayer and you'll be—

Information & Ethics committee  They made legitimate buys on the market. I'm sure these were at market prices or whatever the market bears, or whatever discount one gets for elections—

Information & Ethics committee  Yes, as per the rules—although the rules are flexible. To me, the rules are flexible in advertising; they always have been. People in this House have never really defined what is and what isn't, because all ridings associations, all parties had—

Information & Ethics committee  For about 35 years.

Information & Ethics committee  Well, I actually kept it for a week, because when I tried to send it back, the wire didn't work. It's kind of embarrassing, as I work for a bank, and this didn't work.

Information & Ethics committee  So I actually kept the money for a week and then it went back.

Information & Ethics committee  That's correct.

Information & Ethics committee  Correct.

Information & Ethics committee  No. As a matter of fact, it was audited. I have my audit letter, and it says it's fine.