Government Operations Committee on Nov. 2nd, 2010

[Julia Gersovitz]

Again, we would be merely speculating if we added anything to that conversation.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

I understand. Again, this is why I wonder--

[Julia Gersovitz]

We're not party to that.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

This is why I do wonder why you're here, with all due respect. As interesting as this is, unless you have something concrete you think the committee needs to hear, I don't know....

Mr. Chair, why do we have them here?

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Well, they were at the invitation of the committee, Mr. Martin.

Regardless, your time is finished.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

I have no further questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Mr. Regan.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I'll begin by echoing my colleague Mr. Warkentin's comments in thanking you for your work on the West Block. It's a building we all treasure. I know that it will be a long time, but we look forward to its completion.

Given the masonry specialization required--and you've described that--why was LM Sauvé uniquely qualified for this job? Or was that company?

[Norman Glouberman]

Can you repeat the question? I'm not--

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

You talked about the specialization required in terms of the type of masonry work being done on the West Block, on the towers, for instance. In view of that, was Mr. Sauvé's company uniquely qualified to do this work?

[Norman Glouberman]

I don't think he was uniquely qualified. We didn't do the pre-qualification or the review of the pre-qualification submissions. That was done entirely by Public Works.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

In your view, was his company qualified?

[Norman Glouberman]

It's difficult for me to answer because I didn't see his submission.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Are you familiar with his past work and his business?

[Norman Glouberman]

I've never worked with him before.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Okay. Thank you.

Do you know Gilles Varin?

[Norman Glouberman]

No.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Okay.

Did you have any other relationship with Paul Sauvé?

[Norman Glouberman]

Not really.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Thank you.

Madam Gersovitz, in relation to the renovation and appearing at the committee today, do you have any discomfort about appearing today?

[Julia Gersovitz]

No. I've quite relaxed into it.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Okay. That's good. That's great to hear. Make yourself at home.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

So you haven't felt threatened in any way in relation to your appearance here today or in relation to the work on the renovation?

[Julia Gersovitz]

I think Mr. Martin asked a similar kind of question.