Evidence of meeting #6 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was schreiber.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON
I just want to be clear so I have a clear understanding. You may have an idea, but there was no verbal or written response from Mr. Mulroney to you that he had engaged Mr. Harper on the topic of the letter that you had provided him.
12:50 p.m.
As an Individual
That's correct, sir.
This is why I said to you that I was shocked when the Prime Minister said on television that Mr. Mulroney never showed him the letter, never spoke with him about the letter. It was not the first time that Mr. Mulroney wanted a letter from me. I thought, well...I believed. I still believe that. Maybe I'm an idiot, but I believe.
12:50 p.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
I'll be sharing my time as well, Mr. Chair.
If there's one thing, Mr. Schreiber, that's become clear to me as we've had this exchange today, it's that big money corporate lobbyists in this country are the root of all evil.
12:50 p.m.
Some hon. members
Oh! Oh!
12:50 p.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
What other conclusion can you draw? They've been bastardizing democracy at the highest level for all this period of time, and it's a normal way of doing business in some circles.
Were you aware that Mr. Frank Moores was on the board of directors of Air Canada at the same time as he was lobbying with GCI for the purchase of those airplanes? Was that common knowledge?
12:50 p.m.
As an Individual
I think that the appointment to Air Canada was somehow a signal to the Europeans that Frank Moores was the right guy. Mr. Mulroney supported all the business from GCI, as far as I can see.
12:50 p.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Yes, I understand.
The Airbus sale resulted in huge commissions for people like Mr. Moores, and presumably you benefited personally, Mr. Schreiber.
12:55 p.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Who else would Frank Moores have shared those commissions with? How did that money filter down throughout Canadian--
12:55 p.m.
Conservative
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Mr. Del Mastro, would you please state the nature of your point of order before you get started.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
12:55 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
The point of order is to the effect that Mr. Schreiber cannot possibly know what Mr. Moores did with his money.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
12:55 p.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
If you can, Mr. Schreiber, would you have any idea who else would have benefited from the distribution of these commissions?
12:55 p.m.
As an Individual
Since the money was money from GCI, it's very obvious that the shareholders were entitled, whoever they were, to participate in the money, and they have sent different...[Inaudible--Editor]...and everything else. It's very clear to whom it was...and by the way--
12:55 p.m.
As an Individual
I'm speaking about the shareholders, what I know about what GCI did with the money.
When you ask about how this all worked, we have to ask him. He has perhaps more knowledge about this.
But I ask you a question. If you come to this country, for example, even today, and you want to do business with the government, and the government does not approach you, to come and invite you and help you when you come, as it was in my case. But assume you were to come. To whom would you go?