Le duo Boulerice / Angus continue de talonner Tony Clement

Le duo composé d'Alexandre Boulerice et de Charlie Angus continue de talonner Tony Clement le président du Conseil du Trésor. Rappelons que Tony Clement a détourné des fonds qui étaient censés servir à désengorger la frontière pour donner des cadeaux à ses amis dans son comté. En effet, plus de 50 millions de dollars ont servi à des projets douteux comme construire des gazebos et installer une horloge municipale.

M. Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, NPD)

M. Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, NPD): Monsieur le Président, il y a eu pour 50 millions de dollars de projets approuvés par le député de Parry Sound—Muskoka pour le bénéfice de ses petits amis. C'est tellement louche que cela a suscité une étude de la GRC sur la question. Les députés des circonscriptions qui n'ont pas profité de ce traitement de faveur se posent aujourd'hui des questions légitimes.

Est-ce que le député de Parry Sound—Muskoka peut arrêter de se cacher derrière son porte-parole et expliquer aux députés des autres circonscriptions pourquoi et comment les projets ont été approuvés dans son comté?

Hon. John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC)

Hon. John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I am happy to correct the record, those projects with which the member opposite claimed were approved by the now-President of the Treasury Board were in fact approved by the Minister of Infrastructure. I am happy to correct the record.

M. Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, NPD)

M. Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, NPD): Monsieur le Président, j'ai un chiffre intéressant pour nous tous. Si le président du Conseil du Trésor avait approuvé pour 50 millions de dollars de projets dans toutes les autres circonscriptions du pays, ça aurait coûté 15 milliards de dollars au Trésor public. Ça vous donne une petite idée de l'ampleur des dépenses douteuses qui ont eu lieu dans son comté.

Mais par-dessus tout, est-ce que le président du Conseil du Trésor comprend qu'en favorisant ses petits amis, il crée une démocratie à deux vitesses, une démocratie pour ses amis et une démocratie pour les autres Canadiens?

Hon. John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC)

Hon. John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC): Mr. Speaker, let us look at what some of these infrastructure funds were spent on.

They were spent on rehabilitating the airport in North Bay. They were spent on fixing up a provincial highway. They were spent on building a community centre that was used during the summit. These are all public infrastructure projects which add great value to the municipalities that recommended and submitted these projects.

Mr. Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay, NDP)

Mr. Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General's report shows how the member from Muskoka got away with giving out $50 million without any oversight. He deliberately froze out any accountable body. He blew off the checks and balances of Parliament.

That is why we are having a police investigation. Do the Conservatives really think it passes the smell test, that the three amigos, a minister, a mayor and a hotel manager were allowed to lord over 242 projects without any documentation? When will the minister stand up and produce the real paper trail?

Hon. John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC)

 

Hon. John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC): Mr. Speaker, much of what the member opposite said is not true. It is not fact.

The fact that he has to exaggerate suggests that the facts cannot present a powerful enough argument.

The reality is there were three individuals who reviewed the submissions, but in fact they had no decision-making authority in this regard.

The good news is that all 32 projects were completed on time. We did get some very helpful observations from the Auditor General. We thank her for her work and are fully accepting the good advice and counsel that she is providing.

Mr. Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay, NDP)

Mr. Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay, NDP): Mr. Speaker, they pilfered $50 million from border infrastructure and the police have been called in.

However that is just a start. This member raided FedNor, he raided the community adjustment fund, and he raided the stimulus fund. He created $100 million personal legacy project that was blown on sunken boats and paving the bunny trail.

Now this guy is in charge of the Canada's treasury. Why are they showing such contempt for Canadian taxpayers by putting him there?

Hon. John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC)

Hon. John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I have accepted the challenge of the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Winnipeg Centre to make this place more civil, to debate issues and not bring about insults.

The reality is that the member for Parry Sound—Muskoka, President of the Treasury Board, has provided great leadership over 14 years in public service. He has done a heck of a job for the people of Ontario, a great job for the people of Canada and he has a lot to be very proud of.