JUST FOR LAUGHS

minster of Public Works Don Boudria

JUST FOR LAUGHS

St. Boniface - Thursday, March 14, 2002 - by: Mike Reilly

report
cannot
be
located
Over the last five years, Public Works Canada (PWC) has awarded $62 million to a single Montreal company, more than one quarter of the $240 million budget for sponsorship contracts. The government has failed to enforce it's own contract policy rules which are intended to regulate fair distribution of awards. Canadians should not be surprised to learn that this same company, Groupaction Marketing Inc. is a solid Liberal party supporter, having donated over $70,000 in that time. The relationship between PWC, Groupaction Marketing and the Liberal party has come to light because one of the reports to be produced (at a cost of $550,000) cannot be located by either the federal government or the contractor.

70%
in
Quebec
Putting aside the fact that PWC has broken it's own policy rules, the appearance that Groupaction has returned the favour with large donations and that over 70% of PWC's contracts are awarded in Quebec, Canadians must ask what this money is used for. Many of the contracts produce marketing reports describing how the government can increase its profile at cultural, sporting and municipal event. At the public's expense, the PM and his cabinet ministers are being told how to better advertise themselves.

laugh's
on
us
This is not just another example of "how things are done in Ottawa." Every dollar wasted on patronage handouts is a dollar taken from programs the Liberals have been slashing. Today, Canadians wait for months for urgent medical services, military personnel make do with outdated equipment while our social, environmental, and security programs are stretched beyond breaking. The federal government's response to the crisis is to erect booths and hand out pamphlets at Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival. I guess the laugh's on us.

Mike Reilly

Reference: Mar. 13, 2002. 01:00 AM Lost study may never turn up, Boudria says, Jim Brown
CANADIAN PRES, Toronto Star

Groupaction Marketing Inc. web site (nice flash presentations)

Just For Laughs web site


	minster of Public Works Don Boudria

JUST FOR LAUGHS

St. Boniface - Thursday, March 14, 2002 - by: Mike Reilly

report cannot be located	Over the last five years, Public Works Canada (PWC) has awarded $62 million to a single Montreal company, more than one quarter of the $240 million budget for sponsorship contracts. The government has failed to enforce it's own contract policy rules which are intended to regulate fair distribution of awards. Canadians should not be surprised to learn that this same company, Groupaction Marketing Inc. is a solid Liberal party supporter, having donated over $70,000 in that time. The relationship between PWC, Groupaction Marketing and the Liberal party has come to light because one of the reports to be produced (at a cost of $550,000) cannot be located by either the federal government or the contractor.

70% in Quebec	Putting aside the fact that PWC has broken it's own policy rules, the appearance that Groupaction has returned the favour with large donations and that over 70% of PWC's contracts are awarded in Quebec, Canadians must ask what this money is used for. Many of the contracts produce marketing reports describing how the government can increase its profile at cultural, sporting and municipal event. At the public's expense, the PM and his cabinet ministers are being told how to better advertise themselves.

laugh's on us	This is not just another example of "how things are done in Ottawa." Every dollar wasted on patronage handouts is a dollar taken from programs the Liberals have been slashing. Today, Canadians wait for months for urgent medical services, military personnel make do with outdated equipment while our social, environmental, and security programs are stretched beyond breaking. The federal government's response to the crisis is to erect booths and hand out pamphlets at Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival. I guess the laugh's on us.

	Mike Reilly

*Reference:*	Mar. 13, 2002. 01:00 AM Lost study may never turn up, Boudria says, Jim Brown CANADIAN PRES, Toronto Star

	Groupaction Marketing Inc. web site (nice flash presentations)

	Just For Laughs web site