Tories fire salvos at gun control and sponsorship

New auditor general's report on registry leaked Liberals are said to have tried to obscure huge costs

OTTAWA—Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government is getting ready to mark its first 100 days in office next week with renewed assaults on the federal Liberals, especially their record on gun control and the sponsorship program.

Harper confirmed yesterday that he is looking into "all the legal avenues" for retrieving government money allegedly funnelled to the federal Liberal party from the sponsorship and advertising program that was intended to build Canada's presence in Quebec.

In the wake of Justice John Gomery's commission report on the sponsorship scandal, the Liberals sent a $1.1 million cheque to cover improperly obtained funds, but Tories say that's inadequate and the total could be as much as $40 million.

"As you know, we've been concerned for some time that there continues to be money that's missing," Harper told reporters yesterday.

Meanwhile, next Tuesday — the 100th day since the Harper cabinet was sworn into office on Feb. 6 — will also see a new auditor general's report, expected to give the Tories renewed ammunition against the controversial gun registry that began operation under the Liberals in 1995.

According to leaked information about that report, which appeared in CanWest newspapers yesterday, Auditor General Sheila Fraser has found that the former Liberal government tried to obscure the huge costs of the gun registry to avoid further fuelling widespread antagonism toward the system.

Fraser sparked a furor with a 2002 report in which she estimated that the long-gun registry, which covers rifles and shotguns, would cost $1 billion by the time it completed its first decade in operation in 2005.

The Liberal government of Jean Chrétien had predicted that most operating costs would be covered by fees paid by gun owners, leaving a net cost of just $2 million to the treasury.

The Canada Firearms Centre, which administers the program, currently operates on a budget of roughly $83 million a year.

However, Joe Comartin, the NDP justice critic, noted that only about $10 million to $15 million of that total is directly attributable to the long-gun registry. The rest is spent on licensing and regulatory activities related to a wide range of gun control measures.

Fraser's new report is also expected to show that costs remained huge because Ottawa was double-contracted with two competing computer firms for years before it settled on the information-technology system needed for the registry.

Fraser said yesterday she is "very upset" by the leak of her report and believes she knows who gave it to the media. In expressing her displeasure, Fraser has essentially confirmed the leaked report.

The Tories' continuing focus on the Liberals shows that, in a minority position, they are keeping the prospect of an election firmly in their sights. They're also resolved that they need to isolate and weaken the Liberals to improve their chances of being re-elected. In almost every speech Harper fires a few shots at Liberals, calling them corrupt, wasteful or in disarray.

Former Liberal public works minister Scott Brison, who handled much of the fallout of the sponsorship scandal, says any legal pursuit of sponsorship money would be part of a larger "smear campaign."

"This is part of their ongoing strategy to demonize and attack the Liberal party and the fact is they did this during the last Parliament," Brison (Kings-Hants) said. "They made up figures. They presented on the floor of the House mistruths on an ongoing basis ... . And they continue to do that as part of their ongoing campaign to stay in power.

"The Liberal party was forthright in its response to the Gomery commission and, in fact, paid every cent that was received inappropriately back to the Canadian taxpayer."

Quebec Liberal Denis Coderre said the potential legal action smacks of partisanship and is a questionable use of tax dollars.

"If the government wants to play politics with taxpayers' money, it's their thing, but I don't think people accept that," Coderre (Bourassa) said.

Opposition MPs on the public accounts committee say the leak of Fraser's report on the gun registry clearly came from the Conservative government and makes a mockery of Harper's promise to operate with a higher ethical standard.

.....leak of Fraser's report on the gun registry clearly came from the Conservative government and makes a mockery of Harper's promise to operate with a higher ethical standard

I would like to find out, why an early leak would benefit the Conservatives? At this stage it has not been established (I hope) that this business of leaks, is a tactic of the new government.

I would venture to say, that there is still an old Liberal devotee, lingering in the beauracracy. The Harper people should have a quiet word with former Prime Minister Joe Clarke. Ask him about being nice to Liberals and not cleaning house. (Sad laughs here).

I'm beginning to like this Harper fellow more and more.

I'll bet if he's letting this out know it's because he's got more in reserve. At least that's my fond hope. Chances are the former Lib government has a few more scandals rattling around in their closet.

Right with you Lurker.

Curiously enough Sheila Fraser,our Auditor General started the Libs on the downward spiral. She submitted reports seemingly devoid of partisan politics. It seems that a civil servant who is above all parties, can wield a lot more clout. The Libs had encountered her before,when they had power. All she did was give out the facts- just the facts.

As for socialists, RedBob, I will venture this. If your American socialists oust the Pubbies- heaven help the free world. We have ours on the run. LOL

On your poster.

Chretien's support and compassion for the poor unemployed shows through. (sarcasm on).

Thank the good Lord for the "cold, precise, aloof and distant," present Canadian Prime Minister. LOL

Now that I've thought about this, Harpers strategy is pretty smart if he's thought this through.

It seems the opening figure here is what, 40 million Canadian in stolen money? So far the Libs have paid back 1.1 million, at least that's what's written here.

He can spend the next couple of years with this 'civil servant who is above all parties' telling the public that the Libs really owe the Canadian Treasury another 39 million dollars. Oh, and that's just what she's found so far. There may be more corruption uncovered. Where will that kind of money come from I wonder?

It sure would starve the libs of campaign funds, now wouldn't it. I mean imagine those poor Canadian libs, right in the middle of an election having to pony up that kind of cash to the treasury. Why just thinking about it brings a tear to my eye.

I'm sure they'll do it gladly though. After all it will be 'for the children.'

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