Evidence of meeting #38 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 varin.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
[Inaudible—Editor]...committee, I know about the motion. Possibly you should raise that under other business at the end of the committee.
Thank you, Mr. Martin.
Mr. Regan, for five minutes, please.
November 23rd, 2010 / 9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
And Mr. Sauvé, thank you for coming.
I also want to add my apologies to Mr. Dorval.
Mr. Sauvé, you've indicated previously that several weeks before Christian Paradis became Minister of Public Works, Mr. Varin indicated to you that was going to happen. Is that correct? He was aware of it ahead of time?
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
You've indicated in the past that Mr. Varin told you several weeks before our cabinet shuffle that Mr. Fortier was leaving and that Mr. Paradis would be the new Minister of Public Works. Is that right?
9:35 a.m.
President, LM Sauvé
Varin did indicate at that point that there was a shuffle and that there was a change of Minister of Public Works, yes.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
9:35 a.m.
President, LM Sauvé
I'm not sure if he did. He seemed very privy to the fact that there was a shuffle and that Mr. Fortier was leaving his function. He did indicate that it would most likely be a minister from Quebec.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Okay. Would you please provide us with a copy of all your e-mails with Public Works?
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Can you provide the committee with copies of your e-mails back and forth to Public Works?
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Thank you very much.
Now, in terms of what Mr. Varin did, does that sort of fall within your definition of the word “lobbying”?
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Thank you.
Who told you that you should go to see Mr. Varin because he was the guy to see?
9:35 a.m.
President, LM Sauvé
We had a board member called Claude Sarrazin, who was a Conservative, I believe, at least in spirit, who requested us to contact Gilles Varin, and brought him to my attention, to my office.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Now, in terms of where the money went, would Mr. Sarrazin have gotten any of the money you paid?
9:35 a.m.
President, LM Sauvé
No. Board members at that time were paid an honorarium for their attendance at our different board functions over the year, but I do not believe it was part and parcel of those payments.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Okay, thank you.
After you got the contract, Mr. Varin indicated to you that you ought to organize a fundraising cocktail event for the Conservative Party to thank the government for this contract. Is that correct?
9:35 a.m.
President, LM Sauvé
Prud'Homme is the one who suggested there would perhaps be one or more activities that had to do with fundraising, that the first one should be in Bourassa, and that the honourable Minister of Public Works should attend.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
And this was essentially to thank the Conservative Party for this contract.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
At the time, what role did Gilles Prud'homme play in the Conservative riding association in Bourassa?
9:35 a.m.
President, LM Sauvé
That's a very good question. He presented himself to me as a party organizer, authorized to collect money for the Conservative Party of Canada. I didn't really ask any questions. He seemed to be involved in the election campaign in the riding of Bourassa, with a lady whose name I've forgotten and who was defeated. He was the spokesperson on funding in Quebec.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
So Gilles Prud'Homme was one of Gilles Varin's contacts in the Conservative Party. Is that correct?