These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Blatant Conflict of Interest
Mr. John Reynolds (West
Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, Canadian Alliance): Mr. Speaker, according
to the lobbyist registration form, Raymond Hession was a registered
lobbyist of the Department of Justice on behalf of EDS Canada.
EDS is the same firm that was paid $227 million by the Department of
Justice to design the gun registry system. Raymond Hession was the
lobbyist during the period when these computer purchases were made.
Despite these facts, the Minister of Justice hired Raymond Hession to
write a report on what went wrong with the gun registry.
How can the Prime Minister justify this blatant and shocking conflict of
interest?
Hon. Martin Cauchon (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of
Canada, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, they are getting lower and lower on that
file. This is an important file for Canadians.
Mr. Hession is a highly respected business person. He is highly respected
as well in the public sector, since he was a deputy minister. If the hon.
member would read the report of Mr. Hession, in his 16 recommendations he
recommended to move away from the EDS system.
Mr. John Reynolds (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, Canadian Alliance):
Mr. Speaker, that minister would hire a Groupaction employee to
investigate Groupaction. It is probably beyond the grasp of the Prime
Minister and his government but they should think about the need for
justice to be seen to be done.
Raymond Hession, the lobbyist for EDS Canada; Raymond Hession, the
lobbyist always welcomed with open arms in the Department of Justice;
Raymond Hession, the lobbyist who was called in to review what went wrong
with the firearms fiasco in the Department of Justice.
To the minister or the Prime Minister: is this what he meant yesterday
when he rattled on about political cleanliness? Does he think this meets
the clean smell test?
Hon. Martin Cauchon (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of
Canada, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, one more time, this is a cheap political
comment. Mr. Hession is a highly respected business person with 40 years
of experience.
Second, if they would read Mr. Hession's report, they would discover a
fantastic piece of work, with 16 recommendations. Those recommendations
will help the government produce a good plan of action.
What they do not like is that the government is heading in the right
direction. We will keep gun control on behalf of public safety and to
protect Canadians
Mr. Lynn Myers (Waterloo—Wellington, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, my
question is for the Minister of Justice.
We all share a concern about the costs associated with the gun registry.
Will the Minister of Justice outline how he will achieve a more client
friendly and cost effective gun control program?
Hon. Martin Cauchon (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of
Canada, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the member is talking about costs;
therefore, he is talking about Bill C-10A.
Bill C-10A indeed talks about cost reductions with regard to the gun
control program. It is a shame to see that the official opposition is
trying to block that bill, which would save taxpayers money. That bill
would be able to streamline the process. I look forward to the support of
all members of the House.
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