The words of Justice John Gomery in a report which targets cronies of former prime minister Jean Chretien, whom Gomery says were involved in a skilful plan to fund Liberal interests in Quebec.

Although the report doesn't say Chretien was directly involved it does suggest he needs to share some of the responsibility.

Of those who receive the harshest criticism, ad executive Jacques Corriveau, former Chretien chief of staff Jean Pelletier, and former Public Works minister Alfonso Gagliano.

The report suggests those three were key players in deliberately designing a program which was used to hide taxpayer’s dollars and funnel large amounts of money from government contracts back to Liberal organizations.

The findings do clear current prime minister and former finance minister Paul Martin, suggesting he was not involved in the scheme.

Gomery writes, "Mr. Martin, whose role as finance minister did not involve him in the supervision of spending by the PMO or (Public Works) is entitled, like other ministers in the Quebec caucus, to be exonerated from any blame for carelessness or misconduct."

Today’s report is the first in a series of publications to display the findings of a 20 month investigation costing millions of dollars.

Prime Minister Martin was given an advance peek of the report last night. He says the findings have been handed over to the R.C.M.P. and they will decide whether more investigation is needed.

Martin also announced the Liberal party will repay the government just over $1 million dollars, as well he has announced the lifetime suspension of key Liberals from the party, including Gagliano.

The opposition responded quickly to the report. But neither Tory leader Stephen Harper or NDP leader Jack Layton are talking about forcing an election this fall.

Harper says he doesn't feel Canadians want to be heading to the polls over Christmas. However he does say the findings from the report paints a clear picture of corruption within the federal Liberals, and the Grits must be held accountable for their actions.

Meanwhile, Layton calls the report a "wake-up call" that shows a pattern of Liberal corruption. He wouldn't hint at whether his party is considering joining the other opposition parties in a bid to bring down the government.

Jean Chretien is expected to make a comment today in response to the report.

Here are some other highlights of the report:

- with files from Canadian Press