Inside Politics

Order Paper Watch: NDP wants info on government money going to RackNine, RMG and Campaign Research

by Kady O'Malley Posted: February 29, 2012 8:09 AM Last Updated: February 29, 2012 8:15 AM
The ongoing robocalls controversy makes its first -- but likely not last -- appearance on the Order Paper today, courtesy of NDP MP Pat Martin, who has filed a series of questions that appear to have been inspired by the now semi-infamous 2010 photo posted to Facebook by RackNine CEO Matt Meier, in which he noted that "government does pay."

Not only does the Official Opposition want to know exactly how much the government has paid Meier and RackNine over the last five years, and just what services were received in exchange for the payment, but also whether any federal cash has gone to Responsive Marketing Group and/or Campaign Research, and, if so, for what purpose. 

So, will the government hand over the requested info? Check back in 45 days -- which, by my calculations, works out to mid-April -- to find out!

The full text of the NDP's questions:

Q-481 -- February 28, 2012 -- Mr. Martin (Winnipeg Centre) -- With regard to all payments made by the government to RackNine Inc. and Matt Meier in the last five years, has the government, including the Prime Minister's Office, all government departments and agencies, minister's offices and crown corporations, made such payments, and, if yes: (a) what was the total amount paid in each of the last five years; (b) what was the amount paid by each department, agency and crown corporation in each of the last five years; and (c) for each payment, (i) who made the payment (e.g., the Prime Minister's Office, a department or agency, a minister's office, a crown corporation, etc.), (ii) on what date was the payment made, (iii) what services were procured through the payment?

Q-482 -- February 28, 2012 -- Mr. Martin (Winnipeg Centre) -- With regard to all payments made by the government to Responsive Marketing Group Inc. in the last five years, has the government, including the Prime Minister's Office, all government departments and agencies, minister's offices and crown corporations, made such payments, and, if yes: (a) what was the total amount paid in each the last five years; (b) what was the amount paid by each department, agency and crown corporation in each of the last five years; and (c) for each payment, (i) who made the payment (e.g. the Prime Minister's Office, a department or agency, a minister's office, a crown corporation, etc), (ii) on what date was the payment made, (iii) what services were procured through the payment?

Q-483 -- February 28, 2012 -- Mr. Martin (Winnipeg Centre) -- With regard to all payments made by the government to Campaign Research in the last five years, has the government, including the Prime Minister's Office, all government departments and agencies, minister's offices and crown corporations, made such payments, and, if yes: (a) what was the total amount paid in each of the last five years; (b) what was the amount paid by each department, agency and crown corporation in each of the last five years; and (c) for each payment, (i) who made the payment (e.g., the Prime Minister's Office, a department or agency, a minister's office, a crown corporation, etc.), (ii) on what date was the payment made, (iii) what services were procured through the payment?


Tags: blackberry jungle, campaign research, order paper watch, racknine, responsive marketing group, robocalls