Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to clarify some accusations that have been made about me recently in the media. I am referring to the Focus North
program, which was aired on CBC February 1 and then on TVNC on February 3, 1993.
Mr. Speaker, it concerns me greatly that the media feels free to make allegations which are completely unfounded with no attempt on their part to verify their story with the person they are accusing. I was fortunate to see this program, but how many others have not been aware that their names have been thrown around with such disregard for the truth. I have learned to be sceptical of what the media chooses to tell the public. I certainly hope others do the same.
In this case, Mr. Speaker, the media insinuated that I had acted improperly while I was a Member of Cabinet. The program said that I awarded "choice government jobs" to family members. This is far from the truth. No evidence was offered to support this allegation and I was not even granted the courtesy of being contacted to see if this was the case. I would like to know what has happened to the journalistic principles of collecting and presenting the facts? I guess, in the eyes of Focus North, these ethics are outdated. They manufacture allegations to suit their story and to cause sensation. They pretend that they are the judge and jury.
After Focus North aired this program, I contacted their office to correct them and gave them the information that they could have obtained from me before airing the story. An apology was aired on the February 8 and 10 programs. Focus North admitted that they were not aware of any instances where I had acted as they suggested. I appreciate that this step was taken. However, I do wonder why the apology did not receive the same air time as the original allegation and why Focus North aired my picture during the original story, but chose not to do so for the apology.
---Applause
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my Member's statement.