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.
10:10 a.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Yes, that's been an ongoing problem, hasn't it, getting the free movement of labour across the bridge?
10:10 a.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
I understand.
Thank you for the honesty of your testimony. I can see that you're trying your best to tell us what really happened there, Mr. Sauvé. I find it very credible, as much as I find it disappointing, even worrisome, that this is the state of the construction industry as we know it. It's very useful for us to hear this.
As for the idea that the cocktail party was an expectation afterwards, I would say that hosting a cocktail party is one thing if you are celebrating winning a contract, but this was a fundraiser for the Conservative Party, not just a cocktail party where you raise a glass and maybe buy somebody some canapés to celebrate winning a contract.
You understood that people were to pay a donation to the Conservative Party in gratitude for receiving a contract from the Conservative government. Is that correct?
10:10 a.m.
President, LM Sauvé
I would have hoped to have the minister's ear for more than three minutes to be able to talk about trade between Ontario and Quebec, the construction industry, and even more so what I felt to be a great exaggeration of how taxpayer dollars were ill spent and could be better spent to promote more restoration on the Hill. I would have hoped to have a passive talk, and I was not permitted that.
10:10 a.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
As for the business about the coat that Mr. Lemay raised, did you see that as a further shakedown by the minister's office, that “Yes, you put on the party for us last night, but now we want another $5,400” for some phantom coat?
10:10 a.m.
President, LM Sauvé
I was insulted. I took a risk in doing this event and it took my time, and I would have hoped to have more than three minutes to discuss intelligent things. For circumstances I couldn't control or that were privy to another agenda, I was not allowed that time. I was just insulted, downright insulted, to be asked to pay for a coat. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe it.
10:10 a.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Sauvé, you tell us that you hired Mr. Varin to lobby the federal government to receive a government contract. But you were also the lowest bidder in this process. You also claimed to be qualified for the job. Mr. Varin has, I believe, taken advantage of your presuppositions about the process, taken your $120,000 or whatever, and taken off. He wore such slight shoes that he never even showed up on Parliament Hill. As a matter of fact, the public works department has absolutely no record of anybody, not even the assistant to the receptionist, having met with this gentleman. This gentleman did nothing here in Ottawa for that $120,000. So I can understand your embarrassment at being shaken down.
You received this contract because you were the lowest bidder and because you were able to demonstrate that you were qualified. I believe your work in the past demonstrated that you were qualified. Whereas my colleagues across the table, Mr. Martin, and the members from the Bloc have consistently called into question whether you were qualified to do the work, I believe you demonstrated that you were qualified. When you come in with the lowest bid and you're qualified, wouldn't that give you some confidence that you got the job based on your qualifications and the bidding process?
10:15 a.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Do you actually believe you wouldn't have received it if you'd come in with the lowest bid and that you demonstrated you were qualified?
November 23rd, 2010 / 10:15 a.m.
President, LM Sauvé
I'm sorry, Mr. Warkentin, but you had a long introduction there.
10:15 a.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Let's answer the question I asked. Do you believe you were qualified to do the job?
10:15 a.m.
Conservative
10:15 a.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Wouldn't that demonstrate that you received this because you were qualified and because you came in with the lowest bid?
10:15 a.m.
President, LM Sauvé
Okay.
I think we were more than qualified, and I think we are qualified still.
10:15 a.m.
Conservative
