Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - April 13, 2005, Winnipeg, Manitoba By Brian Daly m ont real a close Friend of former prime minister Jean Chretien earned $ 6.7 million in sponsorship related income mainly from Hunting and fishing shows documents tabled at the sponsorship inquiry say. Jacques Corrie aus Pluri design firm took in the whopping Cut which was related to a series of Trade shows run by promoter Luc Lemay who is targeted by a Federal lawsuit to recoup scandal tainted sponsorship funds. The evidence that a member of Chretien is entourage grew Rich from the disgraced program Only adds to the growing corruption scandal which threatens to bring Down the minority Liberal government. And Man Jean Brault has implicated Corriveau and Lemay in a scheme that allegedly used by aults group action firm to secretly funnel at least $ 1.1 million to the Liberal part yes Quebec Wing. Brault says Corriveau pressed him to make huge financial contributions while one of be Mays firms allegedly paid Brault $ 2.3 million in bogus commissions to offset the part yes financial demands. Corrie aus $ 6.7 million in honorariums and professional services represents More than 18 per cent of be Mays sponsorship income from the shows Between 1997 and 2002. More damaging testimony at the inquiry yesterday indicated be Mays relationship with Corriveau paid off handsomely in the form of a Surprise Grant for be Mays first big show in 1997. Lemay president of the firms Groupe polygon and exp our testified the Cash gift from Ottawa came not Long after the two began working together to expand be Mays existing series of Trade shows. At a certain Point he said listen i got you about $ 400,000, recalled Lemay. Asked by Lead inquiry counsel Bernard Roy where Corriveau said he received the Money Lemay replied it came from Ottawa. The promoter alluding to the resounding Success of the show agreed we were very Happy. He said he was eventually instructed to Bill the government for $ 450,000 instead of the original $ 400,000. He said he a snot told Why the subsidy was hiked by $ 50,000. Be Mays sponsorship business first made National headlines following revelations that he took in $ 330,000 in taxpayer Money for a Hunting and fishing show in Quebec City that never happened. Brault president of group action marketing said Lemay was also Strong armed into donating Cash to the liberals although Lemay has yet to confirm the allegation. Earlier yesterday a former group action controller testified he gave Brault $ 15,000 in Early 1997, the same time As his Boss has said he gave an equal sum in a secret donation to the liberals. A Cheque Register and testimony by sex controller Bernard Michaud backed by aults claim that he covertly funnelled secret Cash payments to the party. Michaud told the inquiry he handed Over $ 15,000 in Cash to his Boss in april 1997 around the same period Brault has said he gave $ 15,000 in Cash to a party official. Brault told the inquiry last month he asked Michaud to withdraw the sum for the first instalment of a $ 100,000 Cash request by top Liberal brass in March or april 1997. Jean Brault said he needed $ 15,000 quickly and he did not have the time to go to the Bank recalled Michaud. Michaud said he told his Boss Jean $ 15,000 cant be found quickly. So i told him Well make out a Cheque in my name in Advance and Well arrange it later. I made out a Cheque in my name and i cashed it. And gave it to Jean Brault. Michaud said he was never told what the Money was for. Brault said the $ 15,000 payment to the liberals involving Michaud was made under the leadership of Benoit Corbeil who ran the part yes Quebec Wing in the late 1990s. The and Man said he bargained the initial $ 100,000 request Down to $ 50,000, which he said he delivered in instalments of $ 15,000 and $ 35,000. Brault said Corbeil thanked him for his donation and said group action would be compensated a pledge Brault says was a tip that More sponsorship contracts were to come his Way. Canadian press at a certain Point he said listen i got you about $ 400,000 promoter Luc Lemay take advantage of our limited time Spring special. Stay any 3 nights sunday thru thursday and get the 3rd night free rates starting at Only $ 65 per night come visit our family for some fun Only 90 minutes East of Winnipeg indoor heated Saltwater Pool 125 of incredible Waterside fun Large soothing Sauna beautifully decorated suites Jacuzzi tub rooms & Motel units licensed restaurant & lounge billiards volts satellite to wow. Falcon resort. My. Ca email its. 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Com London preparations for the Queens visit to Canada in May Are in full swing but if a Canadian election is called the prime minister May advise the Monarch on whether to postpone her trip officials said yesterday. Officially Buckingham Palace said its full steam ahead for the Royal visit to Saskatchewan and Alberta. The Queen is looking Forward to her trip to Canada and very much intends to continue with it said a spokeswoman for the Palace. As to what happens if canadians Are called to the polls around the same time the spokeswoman said its a bit premature at this stage As an election in Canada a snot been called and there is no confirmation that it will be. So As far As the Queen is concerned we Are going ahead with the planning of the visit. Asked about the protocol for handling a Royal visit that coincides with an election the spokeswoman said Canadas department of Canadian heritage would be Able to discuss what was done in the past. There was one precedent in 84, said Donald Boulanger spokesman for Canadian heritage. John Turner was the pm at that Point. Turner gave advice to her majesty that she should postpone the visit and her majesty agreed at that time to postpone the visit Boulanger said. The Queen visited Canada after the 1984 vote. Boulanger said its too Early to speculate what would happen this time. Its speculation because we dont know if an election will be called in the Spring. We dont know when we dont know if an election will be called. The Queen and Prince Philip Are scheduled to arrive in Saskatchewan May 17 and go on to Alberta May 20 to help the two provinces celebrate their Centennial year. The Royal visit is to end May 25. Canadian press received $ 6.7m in sponsorship Cash documents by Anne Dawson Ottawa the conservatives accused the liberals of misleading canadians when they said they were conducting audits of their party books to determine if any dirty Money from the sponsorship program made its Way to party coffers. Public works minister Scott Brison conceded yesterday a forensic accounting review not an audit was carried out on the Quebec Wing of the Federal liberals by Samson Belair Eloitte & touche but party officials insisted it As Well As a second review of the National party were actually much More in depth analyses of the books than a regular audit typically offers. The second report was done by but a covering letter notes it does not constitute an audit of the Money the party paid out and received Between 1996 and 2003. Alberta conservative my Diane Ablonczy hammered prime minister Paul Martin repeatedly during question period accusing him of attempting to mislead canadians. Both audit firms complained about Lack of proper documentation. Eloitte emphasized that Only four Bank accounts were reviewed. Nothing that went to Liberal Ridings or candidates was reviewed yet the prime minister a former finance minister had the nerve to pretend that this was a real audit she said. Now we learn of Money laundering extortion kickbacks bribes. No wonder the prime minister was frantically waving around his Whitewash audit. Ablonczy was Cut off by the speaker of the House of commons before she could finish because her question was considered out of order for dealing with party finances and not ministerial responsibility. The hard hitting tory attack was another sign the conservatives Are serious about inflicting As much damage on the liberals As possible before making a final decision on whether to pull the plug on the minority government and head to the polls. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper was clearly leaning in that direction when he rejected Martins Challenge to hold off on calling an election until Justice John Gomery completes his inquiry saying canadians do not need go Merys final report to decide How to vote. A source familiar with the forensic review pointed out that the scope of the work carried out by the accounting firm was limited by the mandate it was Given noting there was no Opportunity to examine financial transactions of Liberal constituency offices. Can West news service the g Omery i inquiry liberals under siege w Winnipeg f ree p Pressw wednesday pril 13, 2005 a5 election might delay Queens visit Chretien pal tied to scandal grits dirty Money audits misleading tories charge Ryan Remiorz / Canadian press inquiry head John Gomery laughs during testimony yesterday ;