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Feb. 15, 2004. 08:40 AM
.....
PM about to get an earful
Martin to field questions today on Cross Country Checkup
Star readers are demanding answers on sponsorship scandal
LES WHITTINGTON
OTTAWA BUREAU
OTTAWA—Embattled Paul Martin will field questions from a live national radio audience today as part of a two-day public-speaking blitz intended to help the Liberals regain political momentum after a disastrous week.
With his party's poll numbers plunging as a result of the sponsorship scandal, the Prime Minister will confront what is likely to be an outpouring of public anger — similar to the reactions of enraged Star readers below — over revelations of possible corruption in a $250-million program meant to promote federalism in Quebec in the 1990s.
Martin will join host Rex Murphy on CBC Radio's Cross Country Checkup at 4 p.m. today in an attempt to convince Canadians his government is serious about putting an end to the patronage and misuse of taxpayers' money that occurred while Liberal prime minister Jean Chrétien was in power.
The government has launched a Commons committee probe and a judicial inquiry into the sponsorship program and asked a top lawyer to see if misallocated funds can be recovered.
Star readers, too, think Martin has much to answer for. A selection drawn from the Star's Web site provides a glimpse into what Canadians want to know:
"Paul Martin is a business executive and therefore knows about financial controls in organizations. He should immediately bring in all the financial controls possible to prevent such fraud and theft and waste in the future."
Mike Bush, Toronto
"These people seem to have forgotten who they work for, and who they are accountable to: the voter. The next election could prove to be a rude awakening."
Doug Davidson, Toronto
"If this sort of thing happened at Canada Steamship Lines, you (Paul Martin) would have to take full responsibility as owner and CEO. The same goes for the office you held while these schemes were being played out. I would expect the finance minister to know what's happening to my tax money."
James Cook, Toronto
"Since Paul Martin has indicated there was a sophisticated group of shadowy government employees who sliced away part of the $250-million sponsorship fund, he should give us some names."
Bob Fisher, Vancouver
"We think this is bad. Well, what about a billion-dollar mess the Liberals created with Bill C-68, money wasted on firearms legislation that has done nothing but spend, spend, spend?"
Mike Coleman, Welland
"I am completely fed up with the horrifying lack of accountability of our government. The involvement of every MP must be exposed to public scrutiny. "
Lynn Jones, Winnipeg
"If Mr. Chrétien's government squandered $250 million, that equates to approximately $10 for every person in Canada. I have a family of four. I want my 40 bucks. Where do I send my invoice?"
Bill Wilkinson, Milton
"I have been calling for private audit firms to review all financial programs on a quarterly basis. That is why we are continuing to see these abuses with our governments."
David Smith, Toronto
"How can any Liberal MP in good conscience not resign, return the salary and wages they were paid and refuse their pension?
``No one can claim they did not know, as Paul Martin has done. To claim you did not know is to admit incompetence in cases of this magnitude."
Hugh Crosthwait, Toronto
"I think that Prime Minister Paul Martin has done the right thing by calling for a public inquiry into the whole affair.
``This will clear the air once and for all.
``Honesty is the best policy and this will not hurt the Liberals in the coming election.
Vince Moreau, Pembroke
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Legal Notice: Copyright Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Distribution, transmission or republication of any material from www.thestar.com is strictly prohibited without the prior written permission of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. For information please contact us using our webmaster form. www.thestar.com online since 1996.
Feb. 15, 2004. 08:40 AM
.....
PM about to get an earful
Martin to field questions today on Cross Country Checkup
Star readers are demanding answers on sponsorship scandal
LES WHITTINGTON
OTTAWA BUREAU
OTTAWA—Embattled Paul Martin will field questions from a live national radio audience today as part of a two-day public-speaking blitz intended to help the Liberals regain political momentum after a disastrous week.
With his party's poll numbers plunging as a result of the sponsorship scandal, the Prime Minister will confront what is likely to be an outpouring of public anger — similar to the reactions of enraged Star readers below — over revelations of possible corruption in a $250-million program meant to promote federalism in Quebec in the 1990s.
Martin will join host Rex Murphy on CBC Radio's Cross Country Checkup at 4 p.m. today in an attempt to convince Canadians his government is serious about putting an end to the patronage and misuse of taxpayers' money that occurred while Liberal prime minister Jean Chrétien was in power.
The government has launched a Commons committee probe and a judicial inquiry into the sponsorship program and asked a top lawyer to see if misallocated funds can be recovered.
Star readers, too, think Martin has much to answer for. A selection drawn from the Star's Web site provides a glimpse into what Canadians want to know:
"Paul Martin is a business executive and therefore knows about financial controls in organizations. He should immediately bring in all the financial controls possible to prevent such fraud and theft and waste in the future."
Mike Bush, Toronto
"These people seem to have forgotten who they work for, and who they are accountable to: the voter. The next election could prove to be a rude awakening."
Doug Davidson, Toronto
"If this sort of thing happened at Canada Steamship Lines, you (Paul Martin) would have to take full responsibility as owner and CEO. The same goes for the office you held while these schemes were being played out. I would expect the finance minister to know what's happening to my tax money."
James Cook, Toronto
"Since Paul Martin has indicated there was a sophisticated group of shadowy government employees who sliced away part of the $250-million sponsorship fund, he should give us some names."
Bob Fisher, Vancouver
"We think this is bad. Well, what about a billion-dollar mess the Liberals created with Bill C-68, money wasted on firearms legislation that has done nothing but spend, spend, spend?"
Mike Coleman, Welland
"I am completely fed up with the horrifying lack of accountability of our government. The involvement of every MP must be exposed to public scrutiny. "
Lynn Jones, Winnipeg
"If Mr. Chrétien's government squandered $250 million, that equates to approximately $10 for every person in Canada. I have a family of four. I want my 40 bucks. Where do I send my invoice?"
Bill Wilkinson, Milton
"I have been calling for private audit firms to review all financial programs on a quarterly basis. That is why we are continuing to see these abuses with our governments."
David Smith, Toronto
"How can any Liberal MP in good conscience not resign, return the salary and wages they were paid and refuse their pension?
``No one can claim they did not know, as Paul Martin has done. To claim you did not know is to admit incompetence in cases of this magnitude."
Hugh Crosthwait, Toronto
"I think that Prime Minister Paul Martin has done the right thing by calling for a public inquiry into the whole affair.
``This will clear the air once and for all.
``Honesty is the best policy and this will not hurt the Liberals in the coming election.
Vince Moreau, Pembroke
› Get 50% off home delivery of the Toronto Star.
FAQs| Site Map| Privacy Policy| Webmaster| Subscribe| My Subscription
Home| GTA| Business| Waymoresports| A&E| Life
Legal Notice: Copyright Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Distribution, transmission or republication of any material from www.thestar.com is strictly prohibited without the prior written permission of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. For information please contact us using our webmaster form. www.thestar.com online since 1996.