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.
8:55 a.m.
As an Individual
Look, I may have given Mr. Sauvé's CV or a brochure to Mr. Pichet. We met him entirely by chance at a restaurant. I introduced him to Mr. Sauvé. So it's possible I gave that to him at that time, but I don't remember submitting it to him more particularly.
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
8:55 a.m.
As an Individual
I've known Mr. Pichet for about 23 years. He even worked on certain files with me at his law firm.
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Did Mr. Pichet receive anything from you other than to enable him to do his job?
8:55 a.m.
As an Individual
No, not at all, but I still meet him regularly. We often eat at the same restaurant, and sometimes I simply go there to say hello. I've no doubt previously discussed politics with him.
8:55 a.m.
As an Individual
I introduced him to Mr. Sauvé. Mr. Pichet sat down with us for a few minutes and matters stopped there. I introduced four or five individuals to Mr. Sauvé that lunchtime.
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
Thank you, Mr. Regan.
Ms. Bourgeois or Mr. Lemay, you have eight minutes.
8:55 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good morning Mr. Varin and Mr. Rousseau.
Mr. Varin, you say you introduced Mr. Sauvé to a lot of people and advised him. Do you know Mr. Paul Therrien?
9 a.m.
Bloc
9 a.m.
As an Individual
I don't know. I haven't seen Mr. Therrien in perhaps three years.
9 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Three years ago, he was still Michael Fortier's chief of staff, wasn't he?
9 a.m.
As an Individual
I know him. I've previously met him, but I haven't seen Mr. Doucet in 12 or 15 years.
9 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Mr. Sauvé managed to appear on the short list of contractors likely to obtain the contract. Do you think he might have changed the criteria and thus been put on that short list without your intervention?
9 a.m.
As an Individual
In fact, I don't think anyone can intervene to put someone's name on a short list at the federal, provincial or municipal level. Officials handle those files.
However, I advised Mr. Sauvé. His name was not put on the list of government suppliers. I advised him and told him that he should first be registered on the list of government suppliers and that he should introduce his company. Otherwise, he would not have been put on any list.
9 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
So you continued to work with Mr. Sauvé from the moment his name was put on the short list.
9 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
In what form did you receive the $118,000 amount you referred to earlier? Did you receive it in individual amounts?