Well, you told us he--
Evidence of meeting #48 for Canadian Heritage in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was crtc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #48 for Canadian Heritage in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was crtc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:55 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Let me answer your question. There had been other jobs that had been available, that had been opened up, and I didn't express an interest in them.
3:55 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
If you don't mind letting me explain, this particular--
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
I'm just trying to figure it out. You told us you got this job because Mr. Housakos called you. Normally with the Canada Gazette, people have a background, they have an interest.
There were eight candidates who were short-listed. You weren't one of them. Mr. Housakos put the little birdie in your ear that this job was coming due, and then you came in....
So is August when all this started to happen?
3:55 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
August is when I got a call to come in to interview.
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
But you didn't make any effort yourself. Mr. Housakos opened the doors for you.
3:55 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
“Opened the doors”...I don't necessarily agree with that.
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
When you were president of the ADQ, you would have worked pretty closely with now Senator Housakos on a number of elements. At that time there were lots of questions about the business relations at the ADQ, and financing.
Were either of you ever involved with any business that is now under investigation by the Canada Revenue Agency?
3:55 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Were there really any insinuations of that nature at the time?
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
I'm just asking. Right now there are investigations. Were you, in your role, involved with any of those companies?
3:55 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
I've known Senator Housakos for close to 15 years. He's a friend of mine.
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Well, obviously. You guys get along pretty well.
I'm just asking, when you were in that position, were you guys negotiating with any of those companies?
3:55 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
I have never been involved in anything of that nature, nor have I seen my friend involved in anything of that nature.
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Well, you might not have known what was going on then.
I'm just asking, with the financing, you're with a political party.... You offer your political background as your experience at the CRTC. That's what you've told us your experience is. Part of that is financing. Yes or no, did you deal with any of those companies?
3:55 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
I've already told you that I did not.
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
You did not. Okay, excellent.
I'm interested.... You know, you're being a little touchy--
3:55 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Would you be interested in the process?
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Well, we haven't got that. We have that you were contacted by Mr. Rodriguez's friend--poor Mr. Rodriguez wants to put it on the record--and then you're not sure of the dates and you didn't actually do this yourself.
3:55 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
For the record, he's my friend.
What happened in August is that you got a call, you came in to interview, you're put in a room, you're given 20 minutes to read a series of questions--
3:55 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
If you might let me finish, you're put in another room--
3:55 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
No one.