Canada's Prime Minister
Paul Martin says he knew nothing about the fraudulent part of the "sponsorship" program.
Briefly: In 1995 Quebec held their second referendum on whether to separate from Canada, or negotiate the terms of separation, or something. It became clear from polling that the "yes" side was ahead. Federalists including Prime Minister Jean Chretien made a last-minute push, and the "No" side barely won. Not only was it close, but it was clear that a majority of Quebec francophones had voted "yes"; it was the anglophone minority that had made the difference. Premier Jacques Parizeau hinted that separatists were done in by "money and the ethnic vote."
There was widespread criticism of Chretien for letting this vote get so close. He was perceived to have taken his Quebec roots for granted, and to have played far too passive a role. In fact, he was less popular in Quebec than in some Anglo provinces, and he knew that. He may have thought his presence in the campaign would hurt the "no" side. In any case, after the close vote, he decided to pour money into Canadian nation-building inside Quebec. Hence the sponsorship program.
Martin was Minister of Finance until about a year ago. He admits he was aware of an audit of the program, but the audit revealed only administrative problems, not the outright fraud and theft that the Auditor General has now revealed.
Rick Mercer was on the CBC tonight, venting pure contempt for Martin. Martin's company, which was supposedly held in a blind trust while he was Finance Minister, made a fair bit of money off the government, and also enjoyed tax benefits. He says he knew nothing about that. Now we find out the government was defrauded of $100 million through the sponsorship program, and he says he knew nothing about that. Mercer says: I seem to see the first signs of senility. Ouch.
|
