Yesterday's Auditor Generals report revealed a situation in Ottawa so serious and shocking as to be without precedence in our country's history. All other previous scandals (yes, we've had lots of them) pale by comparison.

"This is just such a blatant misuse of public funds. It is shocking. . . . Words escape me," Auditor General Sheila Fraser told a news conference Tuesday.

"This wasn't just a matter of missing documentation or bending the rules. These methods were apparently designed to pay commissions to communications agencies while hiding the source of the funds."