Evidence of meeting #34 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was sauvé.
A recording is available from Parliament.
8:50 a.m.
Liberal
8:50 a.m.
As an Individual
In 1976 or 1977, I was sentenced to pay a fine, but I did not receive a criminal record.
8:50 a.m.
As an Individual
That was about 30 years ago. I don't remember exactly what was involved. It's been 33 years.
8:50 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Varin, it is hard to believe that someone who has received a criminal conviction doesn't remember it, that it's not a highlight in his life.
8:55 a.m.
As an Individual
I don't really remember the case, sir. I really don't remember. It was, at any event, a case that had nothing to do with the government. It was Quebec's occupational training commissions at that time, where I had been a director general from 1969 to 1972 or something like that.
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
You remember it very well, don't you? You remember the situation and the details.
8:55 a.m.
As an Individual
I remember that it was at that time, but I don't exactly remember what it concerned.
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
8:55 a.m.
As an Individual
Mr. Sauvé called me up one day to meet with me. He told me he had done so on a recommendation by a member of his board of directors. I don't know which of the members it was. It was a board of a number of individuals. I had been recommended to Mr. Sauvé in that context.
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
For what purpose did he retain your services? What did he hope to accomplish?
8:55 a.m.
As an Individual
I advised Mr. Sauvé on a number of files from the moment I was there. When I started working with Mr. Sauvé, we were far from thinking about the contract the Canadian government is concerned about right now, that is to say the contract to renovate the Parliament buildings. We didn't even talk about it when I arrived. I advised him and I introduced him to a large number of people in the business world. My client had just filed for bankruptcy at that time. He needed to rebuild a public image, which I helped to do.
8:55 a.m.
As an Individual
I provided Mr. Sauvé with strategic advice on what he should do and on the kind of advertising he could use. I distributed a lot of his brochures throughout the business world, in the private sector, virtually everywhere where business could be done. I introduced him to general contractors because he acted as a subcontractor more often than not.
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Now let's talk about PWGSC and the federal government. To whom did you forward his curriculum vitae, and with what instructions?
8:55 a.m.
As an Individual
I don't remember submitting CVs. I may have distributed a brochure, but I didn't do so to a senior official, or to a minister, or to a minister's political attaché or any other person.
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Varin, you told Daniel Leblanc, or at least he wrote that you said you had forwarded Mr. Sauvé's curriculum vitae to the government.