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Media Centre
Press Releases: June 15, 2006 June 15, 2006 For Immediate Release: Liberal MP pushes for Conservative AccountabilityOttawa - Today the Liberal Opposition was successful in pressuring the Conservative government to implement an open and transparent process for the acquisition of all large real estate properties, halting the planned expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars on an unsolicited bid to purchase the former JDS Uniphase complex in Ottawa said Omar Alghabra, Liberal Member of Parliament of Mississauga-Erindale. "I'm pleased that the government has corrected its previously declared position and reversed its decision to spend hundreds of millions of dollars before evaluating any other option," said Mr. Alghabra. Mr. Alghabra, working with his Liberal colleagues from the National Capital Region, recently put forward a motion that was passed by the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. The motion called on the government to ensure that the acquisition of any significant property be the result of a competitive public call for tenders process. The Conservative members of the committee had voted against the motion. In a debate in the House of Commons yesterday, the Parliamentary Secretary to Public Works argued against the motion. Fortunately, the argument for an open and accountable process could not be ignored and the Conservatives heeded the Liberal party call. "Today the Liberal party demonstrated how a responsible opposition can be effective for all Canadians by holding the Conservative government to account," said Alghabra. An open and transparent bidding process is the best way to ensure that taxpayers’ money is spent wisely and that all reasonable options are considered. While the open tender process may eventually lead to the acquisition of the JDS building, at least Canadians would know that the government performed its due diligence and did not fall under the influence of any lobbyist before making a financially significant decision. |
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