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Auditor General Report on Sponsorship Scandal |
Political Responses and Impact
This section provides a summary of political responses to and impacts of the
Auditor General's Report. It includes the public responses of Prime Minister
Paul Martin and Opposition parties, actions taken by the current government,
the RCMP criminal investigation, and the impact of the Report on the Liberal
Party of Canada.
Political Responses to the Report
- Prime Minister Paul Martin – Following the release of
the Auditor General's Report, Prime Minister Paul Martin provided several
releases and statements. Prime Minister Martin expressed anger with the inappropriate
actions taken by the government in the Sponsorship Programs. He further asserted
that due to his strained relationship with then Prime Minister Jean Chretien,
he was not privy to government sponsorship activities. Prime Minister Martin
also committed the government to a full inquiry of the Sponsorship Program
and the prosecution of any wrongdoing.
- Opposition Parties – Both the Conservative Party and
the New Democratic Party attacked the government handling of the Sponsorship
Program and the Prime Minister's response to the Auditor General's report.
The Opposition parties alleged the Liberal government of being corrupt and
of attempting to hide its activities from Canadians. The Opposition parties
questioned Prime Minister Martin's assertion that he was not made privy to
information regarding the government's sponsorship activities while he was
minister of finance under Prime Minister Chretien.
Government Action and Inquiries
In relation to the release of the Auditor General's Report, Prime Minister
Martin's Liberal government undertook several actions:
- Abolishment of Sponsorship Program – In December 2003,
prior to the public release of the Auditor General's report, the government
cancelled the Sponsorship Program and dissolved Communications Canada, the
branch of the Public Works Department that was responsible for the program.
- Independent
Commission of Public Inquiry – The government
has created an independent Commission of Public Inquiry to examine past behaviour
in the sponsorship and advertising programs. The intent is to formulate recommendations
to prevent any abuses, breaches or ethics or mismanagement in the future.
The Commission will have all the powers set out in the federal Inquiries
Act , including the authority to hold public hearings, summon witnesses and
gather such evidence as needed to conduct the inquiry. Mr. Justice John H.
Gomery of the Quebec Superior Court has been appointed to lead the Commission.
- Special Counsel for Financial Recovery – The government
has also created a Special Counsel with the mandate to pursue all possible
avenues, including civil litigation, to recover funds that were improperly
received by certain parties involved in the delivery of the sponsorship program.
Mr. Andre Gauthier has been appointed to the position of Special Counsel.
- Legislation to Protect Whistleblowers – The government
announced its intention to introduce legislation to protect whistleblowers
no later than March 31, 2004. The legislation's purpose is to create an environment
in which employees feel safe in coming forward to report incidents of wrongdoing.
RCMP Criminal Investigation
The RCMP are actively conducting a criminal investigation into sponsorship
files upon referral by the Office of the Auditor General and by the Department
of Public Works and Government Services . The criminal investigation began
in 2002 when the Auditor General referred its findings concerning Groupaction,
and has expanded following the latest findings of the Auditor General.
However, the RCMP itself has now been linked to the investigation. According
to the latest Auditor General report, the RCMP received government sponsorship
for its 125 th Anniversary celebrations, in which some of the monies were paid
to communications agencies.
To ensure the integrity of the criminal investigation and to reduce concern
of conflict of interest, the RCMP consulted the Attorney General of Quebec,
who is responsible for the prosecution of criminal charges relating to government
sponsorship of the RCMP in Quebec. Upon the advice of the Quebec Attorney General,
the RCMP is currently in consultation with the Sûreté du Québec
on the future conduct of that portion of the criminal investigation that touches
upon the RCMP 125 th Anniversary file.
Impact on the Liberal Party
The Auditor General's Report has had large political consequences for Prime
Minister Paul Martin's Liberal government.
- Image of the Prime Minister – The events of the sponsorship
program occurred under former Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Current Prime
Minister Paul Martin has denied knowledge of the details of the Sponsorship
Program. Nevertheless, the incident has resulted in a questioning of the
Prime Minister's credibility by both Canadian voters and Opposition parties.
The Prime Minister has attempted to restore his image by aggressively pursuing
inquiries and possible prosecutions on the matter, while also committing
himself to testifying at the public inquiry if called upon.
- Support
for the Liberal Party – Electoral support for
the Liberal Party has dropped significantly since the release of the Auditor
General's Report. Immediately following the release of the report, Liberal
support dropped to 35 percent, down from 48 percent in January 2004. Liberal
support later stabilized at 36 percent in late February 2004. Support for
Opposition parties rose at the same time, with the Conservatives, NDP and
Bloc garnering 27 and 17 and 11 percent support respectively.
- Timing of Next General Election – Prior
to the release of the Auditor General's report, the Liberal government
of Prime Minister Paul Martin was poised to call a general election
in Spring 2004. The election's early timing would allow the Liberal Party
to take advantage of the Conservative Party 's weak position, which
is currently undergoing its merger, formulating its policy platform, and
electing a new leader. However, the Auditor General's report and subsequent
loss of electoral support for the Liberal Party may push the date of
the election back several months.
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