Ottawa, February 24, 2004 - On behalf of the Government of Canada, the President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Reg Alcock, announced today that the government has suspended Marc LeFrançois, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail Canada Inc. without pay and André Ouellet, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Post Corporation with pay. In addition, the government announced that Michel Vennat, President of the Business Development Bank of Canada, has been suspended without pay. "These very senior positions require the full confidence of the Prime Minister and of Cabinet. When they are appointed, they are acting on behalf of the government to manage public funds with care, diligence and respect for all the rules," said Mr. Alcock. "The government, like all Canadians, expects a standard of accountability that does not tolerate mismanagement."Mr. LeFrançois is being suspended because the Auditor General's Report of November 2003 raised serious concerns about the management practices of VIA Rail Canada Inc., with respect to the sponsorship program. Mr. Ouellet is also being suspended in connection with the findings of the Auditor General's Report and pending the outcome of an interim audit report. The government has asked that an independent audit of Canada Post Corporation include a review of internal management practices. Mr. Vennat is being suspended further to the observations and conclusions made by Mr. Justice Denis of the Quebec Superior Court in the case of Beaudoin v. Business Development Bank of Canada, with respect to the treatment of François Beaudoin, the former President of the Business Development Bank."Mr. Justice Denis raised very serious issues about the behaviour of a senior government official that required immediate action on our part," said Mrs. Robillard, the minister responsible for the Business Development Bank of Canada.Messrs. LeFrançois and Vennat have been given until March 1, 2004 to respond, in the case of the former to the findings of the Auditor General, and in the case of the latter, to the findings of Mr. Justice Denis. Once their responses have been received the government will determine whether they should continue to hold office.The government is taking these actions as an appropriate response to serious findings by the Auditor General and the Court. The government and Canadians expect the highest ethical standards of its public office holders, and these actions demonstrate the government's commitment to these values that are deeply held in Canada's public sector. - 30 -For more information, contact:André LamarreOffice of the President of the Treasury Board of Canada(613) 957-2666Mario BarilMedia RelationsTreasury Board of Canada Secretariat(613) 957-2391IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) - (613) 957-9090
