Kelly Block

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives would like to reserve the right to speak to this very important point of order at a later date.

Mr. Speaker, time and time again, Liberal members stand across the way and try to convince Canadians that they are a new government. Canadians need to look no further than the government's actions today to confirm that they are the same old government, spending more and limiting debate with time allocation. When will this minister and the Liberal government realize they are here to serve [more]

Thank you. What consequences exist for departments that violate Treasury Board guidelines on the advertising rules, and what are your enforcement powers?

Do you have any idea how long it will take to fully implement the policy into grant and contribution programs?

Do you have any idea, given that you highlighted in your departmental plan to be working with departments to integrate this policy? Did you also contemplate what resources would be devoted from Treasury Board to monitor compliance with departments' buy Canadian rules in those grant and contribution programs?

I don't get to start from the top.

Okay, thank you. Did your department provide advice on the use of the “Canada Strong” slogan? Did you provide advice that it did not violate the rules?

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Welcome back, Mr. Matthews and departmental officials. Minister Ali I would like to start by correcting the record. At our last meeting, I insisted thathad told this committee that he had received advice that the advertising rules were being followed by the Government of Canada with regard to the—

Thank you.

Thank you, Chair. As I mentioned in my first round of questions, technology is a wonderful thing—you can check on things in real time. I asked my staff to look at the Speech from the Throne, which would have been released maybe a month after the election. The slogan was used on the title page of the Speech from the Throne. Given your opinion on whether that was appropriate, I assume you would [more]

I'm going to interrupt you there, because I'm grateful for your opinion, but does the Treasury Board receive or seek out any communications advice when they may be considering using a campaign slogan going forward?

I have a final question. Have you identified or will you identify how many contribution agreements under the buy Canadian rules will be audited annually to give you a good idea if in fact they are in compliance, and how many departments might you choose for that?