Government Operations Committee on Nov. 23rd, 2010

[Paul Sauvé]

I do not.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

What was the name of the assistant who called you back from Minister Paradis' office and asked you for the $5,400 for the coat?

[Paul Sauvé]

It was a young gentleman who was--

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

What was his name?

[Paul Sauvé]

Sir, I've answered--

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

I just want his name.

[Paul Sauvé]

I answered previously that I did not remember his name, but it was his aide. He entered the restaurant with him and exited with him.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

But you didn't get his name, his card, or anything.

[Paul Sauvé]

He did give me his card, but--

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

You lost it.

[Paul Sauvé]

No, I believe I still have it on record. But he was somewhat insignificant, so I did not deem it necessary to remember his name.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

But somehow you were insulted by this insignificant staffer apparently asking you for $5,400. An insignificant staffer asked you for something and you got all upset about it. You had a cocktail reception. You were upset that you didn't get a chance to speak with the minister, but you invited all kinds of people who seemed to take advantage of your generosity. You got taken advantage of by a guy who's never been a member of the party, who in your own testimony was a lobbyist but not a lobbyist.

So truly what happened here is that, as opposed to relying on the great reputation your father and your grandfather obviously built up in the business, you decided to panic and sink into.... Because you were outbid or disappointed by how the Liberals treated you in 1994, you decided that maybe there was a different way of doing things. The reality is you found that because of the Accountability Act and changes this government made, you got nowhere.

I read an article that said you want to be the candidate in Outremont. Is that true?

[Paul Sauvé]

Mr. Calandra, what's the question?

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

I read an article that said you wanted to be the Liberal candidate in Outremont. Is that true?

[Paul Sauvé]

My family has been involved in several causes over many years. As I said earlier, I've been approached and members of my family have been approached by all parties over the years, because we are upstanding business citizens of Montreal.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Who approached you to be the Liberal candidate in Outremont?

[Paul Sauvé]

It was the local organization.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

What was that person's name?

[Paul Sauvé]

I don't recall--Madame Dufresne maybe.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Did you ever speak to Mr. Coderre, as the Liberal lieutenant at the time?

[Paul Sauvé]

Of course I did.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Did he encourage you to sell memberships?

[Paul Sauvé]

He never did.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

I know the Liberal tradition is to appoint candidates. Were they going to appoint you as the Liberal candidate?

[Paul Sauvé]

Monsieur Cauchon, who has a great reputation, was at that point contemplating not coming back to the scene of politics, so it was a looming career possibility. But having seen everything that went on up here, I'm not sure it would have been a wise move. So I'm happy that things unfolded the way they did and I made the decision to stick to bricks and mortar.

Does that answer your question?