Evidence of meeting #109 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was company.
A video is available from Parliament.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
It's not called “Government of Canada Strategies Incorporated”. You're not operating under that name. You're operating under GC Strategies.
1:10 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
We operate under GC Strategies. That's our legal name.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
We understand yesterday from Mr. Firth that you picked GC Strategies, the initials, for what reason?
1:10 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
We just thought that it would be good to call it.... We would say that GC Strategies means Government of Canada.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
That's fair enough.
When you purchased Coredal, at the time you were both equal partners in the investment. Equal amounts of money were contributed.
1:10 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
Yes, and we had another business partner at the time.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Have you owned any other companies prior to GC Strategies?
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Is this your first foray as an entrepreneur and a shareholder?
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Some of my colleagues have questioned you and pressed you pretty hard on the fiduciary duty that you have as a director and part owner of this company. I would suggest that you, with your counsel, look into some of the requirements in the corporate nature that you represent, and you have quite a bit of exposure here.
We all find it rather odd that you don't have knowledge or an understanding of these consequences. Are you telling us that you and Mr. Firth don't discuss the legal implications or the accusations being made against you by this investigation?
1:10 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
No. We discuss files and contracts generally, but not specifics.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Okay.
Mr. Chair, I'd like to move a motion that's been tabled already.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
I believe there may be an amendment to it by one of our colleagues.
The motion reads:
That the Committee invites the President of the Treasury Board and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, to appear for one hour and a half, as well as officials, to appear for two hours regarding the 2023-2024 Supplementary Estimates (C), the 2024-2025 Main Estimates, and the 2024-25 Departmental Plans, and that the meeting take place on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024.
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Thanks.
Before I start, can I just get you to confirm this, Mr. Sousa? The intent is we'll have the two ministers side by side for an hour and a half, with their officials with them for two hours.
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
They will be there on Wednesday from 4:30 until six. The two ministers will be there from 4:30 to six, and their officials will be there from 4:30 to 6:30.
Is that the intent?
1:15 p.m.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
The intent would be for them to be available side by side throughout that period of time.
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Right, but the officials will be here from 4:30 until 6:30, and the ministers from 4:30 to six. Am I reading that right?
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Chair, are we able to allow the witness the five minutes offered to him to confer with his legal counsel while we have this debate?
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
I still intend to suspend for a few minutes after, regardless.
1:15 p.m.
Conservative