PM Paul Martin says scandal could delay election call | National Post

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PM says scandal could delay election call
Inquiry should produce report first, Martin says

Anne Dawson
CanWest News Service

Saturday, February 21, 2004
SASKATOON

Prime Minister Paul Martin said he would like the public inquiry into the $250-million sponsorship scandal to produce an interim report before he calls an election so that Canadians are confident he is getting to the bottom of the matter before they cast their ballots.

The prime minister also strongly hinted he intends to take action "imminently" against senior officials at five Crown corporations accused by Auditor General Sheila Fraser of wrongly funnelling money to Liberal-friendly Quebec advertising firms. He is meeting with his officials this weekend to determine the course of action.

"I certainly want as much light to be shed on this as is possible before an election. Obviously, we will endeavour to do that and if it's possible to do interim reports then that's what we would like to see," Martin told reporters on Friday, in reference to Justice John Gomery's inquiry which is scheduled to begin before month's end.

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