IN THE NEWS

Manning steps down, Day steps up 

Real Audio Clip about Manning stepping down 

Preston Manning's speech to the Empire Club in Toronto 

Alberta Treasurer Stockwell  Day's news conference in Edmonton 

Another Day, another endorsement, National Post 

Manning loses key supporter in bid to lead alliance, National Post 

Day gets backing of Quebecers, National Post 

By DAVE YASVINSKI
Specia

Reform Leader Preston Manning’s stay in Mississauga
wasn’t a long one but it allowed him enough time to
hammer away at the federal Liberals and push the newly
formed Canadian Alliance.

Speaking at the Mississauga Convention Centre last
night – the same location where Prime Minister Jean
Chretien spoke just a few days before – Manning
lambasted the Liberals for the ongoing problems at
Human Resources Canada. He cited the findings of an
audit into the Ministry that revealed the extent of financial
mismanagement. He pointed out that of the 459 files
reviewed, 37 showed such gross errors that the auditors
had to do a second investigation to see whether or not
the police needed to be called in.

“This was a random sampling of projects,” said
Manning. “Eight per cent of the projects. If eight per cent
of the files reviewed showed evidence of gross
mismanagement, how much more mismanagement do
you think exists in the thousands and thousands of other
unexamined files in that department and other federal
departments?”

Manning held Chretien and Human Resources Minister
Jane Stewart personally responsible for the financial
discrepancies. “At every turn the Minister, the Prime
Minister and the government obstructed attempts to get
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
concerning the gross mismanagement of taxpayer
dollars. Prime Minister Jean Chretien is part of the
problem not part of the solution.”

Manning outlined the steps the federal government
needed to take to begin to remedy the situation. These
included allowing full disclosure and full investigation,
removing Stewart from her current position, suspending
the Ministry’s job creation program and a change in
Chretien’s attitude. “He must stop treating taxpayers’
money as his own.”

The scandal should lead to increased public demand for
restraints on government spending, said Manning,
adding this scandal could be the tip of the iceberg that
sinks the Liberal government’s Titanic. “When
Canadians realize what this mismanagement means to
them, there will be hell to pay,” he said.

Manning stressed to the Reform gathering of about 500
people that it was up to them to act and keep up the
pressure of accountability. “You have the power to bring
down this government.”

This is just another reason, Manning said, why change at
the federal level was so important. The change needed
could be brought about by the newly formed Canadian
Alliance, provided the party receives the support of the
Reform party.

Manning issued two challenges to the Reform
membership in attendance. The first was to participate
in the party-wide referendum and vote “yes” to support
the Canadian Alliance. The second was to encourage
others to vote “yes” so Manning could finally enact the
change the Reform party has sought for so long. “I’m
frankly getting tired of just advocating change,” he said.
“I would like to get to the point where these policies and
principles are actually implemented.”

Zubair Choudhry, Greater Toronto Area Chairman for
the Reform party, said events such as this are important
for everyone living in Mississauga. “Social responsibility,
fiscal responsibility – these issues are very important to
the people of Mississauga. It is important to be
informed. We want to give them a choice in the future of
Canada.”

Source: The Mississauga News, Wednesday, February 23, 2000