June 17, 2004 (Ottawa): Mr. Justice John H. Gomery, who heads the Commission of Inquiry into the Sponsorship Program and Advertising Activities, will conduct public hearings on applications for Standing:

Oral submissions, not to exceed 15 minutes, will be presented on behalf of the following parties: the Attorney General of Canada; Office of the Auditor General of Canada; B.C.P. Ltd., Canada Post Corporation; VIA Rail Canada; The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien; The Honourable Alfonso Gagliano; Mr. Charles Guité; Mr. Jean Lafleur; Mr. Jean Pelletier; Mr. Ranald Quail; the Public Service Integrity Officer; Business Development Bank of Canada; the Conservative Party of Canada; and, the Bloc Québécois.

Copies of the applications for Standing will be available at the event, and will be posted on the Web site at www.gomery.ca. A more detailed schedule of the hearings will also be available on the Web site.

Justice Gomery's written decision on Standing will be issued on July 5, 2004.

For further information, please contact:

François Perreault
(613) 230-2220, ext. 225