Gomery Commission's Alternative Reality Zone

More than $600,000 was spent on a logo, Gomery inquiry told

OTTAWA -- Ottawa spent $620,000 in 1996 to create and test a logo for a new agency at the heart of its national-unity strategy, distributing the money among five advertising agencies and two polling firms, the Gomery inquiry heard yesterday.

Later in the day, the Department of Public Works still had not located the logo that had been created for the Canada Information Office.

"Right now, we're just trying to track it down," said Public Works spokesman Charles Slowey.
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The inquiry released Treasury Board documents showing that the creation of the logo for the CIO was handled by five advertising firms: BCP ($150,000), Groupe Everest ($200,000), Compass ($50,000), Vickers and Benson ($50,000) and Palmer Jarvis ($50,000).

In addition, the government conducted focus groups to test the logo and other CIO material, paying $70,000 to Environics and $50,000 to Createc.

Most of these firms were well connected with the governing Liberals.
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While investigating this story, a former adviser to Prime Minister Jean Chretien came forward to offer his own defence of the spending. Sporting a tinfoil hat, an ex-PMO staffer explained that "The overcharging of the logo fees was necessary to pay back our political contributors, I mean, don't print that or I'll sue you! What I meant to say was that it was, um, for the unity of our nation. Unity. Nation. Togetherness."

The staffer continued "Millions may have been stolen, but our intention was to alleviate our obligation to these Quebec firms for their backing...and because we are friends with their directors. Damnit, don't print that!"

The tinfoil sporting politico then spotted a small squirrel nearby and became overwhelmed with penis envy while alleging that "angry white men, Mark Steyn and the ruling classes" had created his "situation".

With Files From The Globe and Mail