OK. So, I've Got the Skinny on the Christian Paradis Scandal

OK, so I've mentioned that there may be a scandal brewing at public works.

Reformer Jacques Gourde announced it in the House, then Reformer Christian Paradis, ran out the door, tripped over the guard and posted on his official website that there was no scandal.

Well, he now says that he got it wrong and there is indeed a scandal.

But then with Parliament prorogued they could have it all cleaned up by the time they decide to get back to work.

Whew! I'm exhausted. But there you have it folks. THERE IS A SCANDAL AT PUBLIC WORKS! What it is, I don't know, but if it involves the Reformers, it's probably a doozie.

‘Secret’ investigation at federal department troublesome: Grit MP
Ottawa Citizen
November 29, 2009

OTTAWA — The secrecy shrouding an investigation at the federal department of Public Works and Government Services is waving red flags that must be examined, say the Opposition Liberals.
Public Works and Government Services Minister Christian Paradis on Friday confirmed that an internal investigation is underway at the department, but would not say what it was about.

He made a statement to “set the record straight” and confirm the investigation had nothing to do with the sale of real-estate properties.

“If it doesn’t have to do with the sale of federal properties then what is being investigated and why all the secrecy?” said Liberal MP Martha Hall Findlay. “So much secrecy still raises flags.”

Back to: The Christian Paradis Story: Maybe There's a Scandal and Maybe there Isn't

According to Conservative MP Jacques Gourde There is a Scandal at Public Works

Or is there? Is there really a Public Works? Is there such a person named Jacques Gourde?

It's all a mystery.

The strangest story is coming from the Public Works department, that began when the Globe and Mail learned that there was apparently a police investigation in progress. That was on Wednesday.

Officials silent on mystery investigation at Public Works

Investigators have been called in to Public Works Canada, but the government is refusing to release any information on the matter.

In fact, government officials are even refusing to say which law prevents them from speaking about the situation.

"I can't even confirm or deny that there is an investigation, or even discuss under what law I'm not allowed to talk," a government official said.

Reformer Christian Paradis stated on the Public Works website:

Gatineau, November 27, 2009 – There have been a number of media stories regarding a potential investigation or probe at Public Works and Government Services Canada. I would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight.

There is no investigation into the sale of federal government properties and no investigators have been called in to investigate this matter at Public Works and Government Services Canada.

And yet according to Reform Conservative MP Jacques Gourde, there is indeed an investigation taking place, though he refused to give further details. I doubt an MP would rat out his own party if there was nothing to rat out.

Conservatives finally confirm Public Works probe
Daniel Leblanc
Ottawa — Globe and Mail
November 27, 2009

Conservative MP Jacques Gourde apparently broke the law today as he finally confirmed that investigators are at work at Public Works Canada.

Federal officials had insisted all week that an unspecified law prevented them from either confirming or denying the existence of the investigation, first revealed in The Globe and Mail.

In answer to a question from Liberal MP Martha Hall Findlay today, Mr. Gourde ignored the directive and finally shone a bit of light on the matter.

“As it stands, Public Works and Government Services Canada is aware of these investigations, but I cannot provide further comment,” Mr. Gourde said.

While Mr. Gourde did not provide details on the target of the investigation, his answer went further than previous comments from government officials.

“I can't even confirm or deny that there is an investigation, or even discuss under what law I'm not allowed to talk,” a government official told The Globe earlier this week.

During Question Period, Ms. Hall Findlay decried the mystery surrounding the investigation, which she said “relates to suspected irregularities in the government's selloff of federal properties.”

Back to: The Jacques Gourde Story: He Does Better at Pantomime

Jacques Gourde Joins Poilievre and Petit as Dishonourable Members of Parliament

We may have been disgusted with Daniel Petit when he gave the finger in the House of Commons, or with just about everything that Pierre Poilievre does, but Conservative MP Jacques Gourde, showed that he can be just as obnoxious as his colleagues.

Another MP who should have the 'Honourable' removed from his title; he too gave an inappropriate gesture when he found he had nothing intelligent to say.

Soon these guys won't even need talking notes. They can just flip and flap like a goose in heat, to make their point.

MPs fuss over obscene gesture
Obscene gestures in the House of Commons had the Liberals and Tories at each other's throats Wednesday, with the opposition calling for the heads of a pair of MPs for bad behaviour.
CanWest News Service
June 15, 2006

OTTAWA - Obscene gestures in the House of Commons had the Liberals and Tories at each other's throats Wednesday, with the opposition calling for the heads of a pair of MPs for bad behaviour.

The schoolyard-style spat was sparked by rude gestures made by Conservatives Jacques Gourde and Pierre Poilievre during a vote on a motion to protect Canadian dairy products on Tuesday night.

While both MPs later apologized, the Liberals remained miffed, and demanded Prime Minister Steven Harper sanction Gourde and Poilievre who are parliamentary secretaries to the agriculture minister and the Treasury Board president, respectively.

'' these actions were not simply insulting to Parliament, but showed contempt and disrespect for all Canadians in this institution,'' Liberal Leader Bill Graham said.

We've got to start demanding better. We pay them a very good salary and we expect them to act like adults. If they can't do that they need to be removed.

Back to: The Jacques Gourde Story: He Does Better at Pantomime

Sexism is Alive and Well in the Conservative Party and Jacques Gourde Proves It

There are many reasons to dislike Conservative MP Jacques Gourde. He's dishonest and rude. But his sexist remarks in the House of Commons, were a little over the top.

Mind you, he's not really unlike most of the men in the Conservative caucus, while the women in the party just smile and pretend not to notice. Though in the case of Helena Guergis, I don't think she does.

Harper’s Conservatives want women to stay home and be quiet. . . We refuse!

Kudos to Ms. Johanne Deschamps (Laurentides—Labelle, BQ) who stood in the House of Commons to declare her outrage at sexist comments made by a Tory MP Jacques Gourde:

"Mr. Speaker, Quebec members from the Conservative Party have repeatedly stated in this House that the Bloc is useless in Ottawa. Well, not only is the Bloc Québécois useful, but you will never hear one of us speak as crudely as the member for Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière did at the May 7 meeting of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources.

The member (Jacques Gourde) said: "Often, a father will give his son advice on how to select a heating system. That is not usually something a mother discusses with her daughter; a mother is more likely to advise her daughter on what curtains to pick. That is the reality. It may be sexist, but that is the reality." (What curtains to pick. Is he kidding me?)

Yes, Mr. Speaker, it is sexist. After all, your remarks simply reflect the opinion this government has of women, as evidenced by the cuts to Status of Women, the new criteria for the women's program, and the elimination of the court challenges program.

Back to: The Jacques Gourde Story: He Does Better at Pantomime