- CTF Disputes Misleading Answers from Minister During Question Period; CTF Reveals ACOA Figures Which Don't Lie -

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OTTAWA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has quickly responded to developments during today's question period. Under questioning from Canadian Alliance MPs in House of Commons, Veterans Affairs Minister George Baker and the Minister Responsible for ACOA (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) has once again misled the House and Canadian taxpayers.

"Minister Baker is quickly vying for the Guiness Book of World Records in making statements that are 100% less than truthful," said CTF federal director Walter Robinson.

Minister Baker responded to opposition questions about ACOA funding of golf courses by stating that ACOA only funded golf courses under the previous Progressive Conservative administration. When later pressed, the Minister back-tracked somewhat stating that money for golf courses came from Infrastructure programs simply administered by ACOA.

"On both counts the Minister is so out of bounds even a handful of mulligans can't cover up his un-sportsmanlike play with taxpayers' dollars," Robinson insisted. "The facts don't lie. Golf courses were funded directly from ACOA core-funding. If the Minister wishes to fudge his own scorecard that's one thing. But he should go back to the driving range before he brings this pathetic game of fairway lies back to Ottawa."

The CTF released information on ACOA funding of golfing and golf courses since the Liberals took power, gained through Access to Information which contradicts today's statements by Minister Baker.

"The Minister has clearly misled the House. It is shameful that a Minister of the Crown would resort to such disingenuous behaviour to cover up the fact that the Government of Canada routinely funds golf courses through ACOA," said Robinson. "Instead of putting an end to this offensive waste of taxpayer dollars, the Minister continues to play fast and loose with the truth."

In March and April, the CTF took undertook several exchanges of information with ACOA to ensure that only ACOA core-funding data was provided in response to its Access request.

"ACOA staff assured us that the data provided for our ACOA study was free of undertakings where ACOA simply managed the accounting and paperwork on behalf of other departments or agencies," concluded Robinson.



ACOA Background Notes

ACOA has disbursed almost $2.6 billion in 10 years. Over 72% ($1.86 billion) has been in the form of non-repayable grants and contributions.

ACOA loaned out $591 million dollars in the last 10 years but has written-off loans worth an equivalent 34% of the amount lent during the same period. ACOA has almost written of 50% of its loan values in the past two fiscal years alone.

Over $5 million has been used to fund Chambers of Commerce and other business organizations, over $20 million has been spent on golf courses, snowmobile clubs and other recreational activities; and ACOA approved over $20.2 million in loans even though the agency, according to its own records, determined the rationale for the funding support as "unknown."

ACOA Program Descriptions:

COOP - ACOA funding of programs which may be delivered in concert with other agencies and/or government levels and departments

BDP - Business Development Program

AAP - ACOA Action Program

INFRA - Infrastructure Program

FAP - Fisheries Alternative Program