On December 12, 2003, I cancelled the sponsorship program. It was my very first act on my very first day in office.I am not Paul Martin's biggest fan. Whenever I see him my gut reaction is to distrust him and when I see him speak I get the same reaction. It is when I listen to his words or see the actions he takes that my distrust turns to grudging admiration. I think he is just one of those people who stir negative feeling in me until I get beyond the first impression and down into the substance.
When the Auditor-General’s report was publicly tabled, I acted immediately by ordering a fully independent commission of inquiry, under Mr. Justice John Gomery. Its mandate is to get to the bottom of what happened, and to do it in full view of Canadians. It will report before the end of the year.
And I think you’ll agree – Judge Gomery is leaving no stone unturned.
In addition, I fired Alfonso Gagliano, the minister responsible for the sponsorship program, from his appointment as Ambassador to Denmark.
I put in strict new controls on spending within every single government department.
My government brought forward whistleblower legislation to ensure that when public servants and others come forward with evidence of wrongdoing, they are protected, not punished.
To recover taxpayers’ money – money that went to those who did not earn it -- I ordered my government to sue 19 people and companies for more than $40-million.
I committed to acting on the recommendations of Judge Gomery when he brings forth his final report. And I myself testified before his commission, answering any and all questions.
Finally, I ordered that the Liberal party bring in auditors to conduct a forensic examination of its books - and call in the RCMP to investigate what took place during that period.
After watching last night's speach that's still the case ... my gut reaction is slightly negative but I really liked what he had to say. His committment to call an election within 30 days of the Gomery final report speaks VOLUMES to me. No matter what the report concludes he is willing to be judged based on it. That is NOT the act of a man who fears the truth. What more can you ask for .... and I quote ....
I am prepared to face Canadians and have them judge my response to this serious test of leadership. I will be politically accountable. But I believe that before there is an election, you are entitled to answers – to the answers that Judge Gomery is working toward. I believe that Canadians deserve a full and frank accounting of all the facts. Fairness and due process require nothing less.All the naysayers out there by contrast seem merely to be trying to make political hay out of this rather than looking for solutions. Their motives are highly suspect and imo somewhat dirty. Harpers comments left me cold and his dead eyes bored thru the screen pretty much creeping me out the whole time he was speaking. Duceppe was only talking to Quebecers and Layton seemed oddly out of touch ... I dunno tho, my concentration was starting to fade at that point.
For that reason, I commit to you tonight that I will call a general election within 30 days of the publication of the commission’s final report and recommendations. Let Judge Gomery do his work. Let the facts come out. And then the people of Canada will have their say.
All in all I think Paul did what he had to do and all the conservative pundits dominating and manipulating the media today who keep chirping it wasn't enough just add fuel to my suspicion that it is the media that is actually not doing enough, not Paul Martin. He's doing just fine.
[UPDATE] OOPS .... I forgot to give you the links so you can follow up on your own if you like. This link will give you access to subsequent links to the text of each reply as well as the initial speach, and access to video files of the speaches if you missed the live telecast.
Text of Prime Minister Paul Martin's speech
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