Evidence of meeting #49 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 know.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:40 p.m.
As an Individual
Well, the meeting I recall was when she actually convened a dinner at her house in Toronto—
4:40 p.m.
As an Individual
—where she invited 12 other people. Ian Shugart was there—
4:40 p.m.
As an Individual
There was someone from The Globe and Mail. I can't remember his name. Janice Stein was there. I think the former clerk was there; I can't remember his name.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
How many times did you or McKinsey meet with Freeland's staff, please?
4:40 p.m.
As an Individual
I have no idea on McKinsey because I wouldn't be in those meetings; it's not of interest to me. If I was meeting, it was at her request.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Okay. That's very interesting, because what you're painting here, Mr. Barton, is not a close relationship, yet I have here a quote from The Globe and Mail, quoting the Prime Minister at Davos, where he said:
“When I went to the World Economic Forum in Davos, just a few months after having been elected, I had the privilege of meeting a number of world business leaders,” Mr. Trudeau said in the clip. “Who set that up? Dominic Barton.
You, sir.
“They all knew Dominic. I came to appreciate, maybe even envy, Dominic's contact list. So we recruited him.”
Mr. Trudeau told the 2017 audience that he and his then-finance minister Bill Morneau offered Mr. Barton $1 a year to lead an advisory council on economic growth.
“I don't think anyone can argue that we're not getting our money's worth from Dominic. In fact, it's probably the best dollar that the Government of Canada has ever spent,” he said, describing Mr. Barton as modest, accessible, accomplished and “ridiculously humble.”
That, sir, sounds like a quote from someone who you know quite well and who knows you quite well.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
That was exactly on six minutes. Thank you, Mrs. Kusie.
Mr. Housefather, please, for six minutes.
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Thank you very much, Mr. Barton, and thank you for being here voluntarily today. I appreciate it very much.
I want to start by saying that this committee has undertaken a study on outsourcing, and I think it would be a very valuable study to understand whether we spend too much money in this country on management consultants or other forms of contractors outside the civil service, and we should be doing that.
There have been allegations related to McKinsey's activities abroad. I'm sure you're going to be asked about that today. I think, again, one of the policies that the Government of Canada should be looking at is whether or not companies alleged to have committed misconduct abroad—certainly if they've been convicted—should not do business with the Government of Canada.
However, that's not why you've been brought here. You've been brought here because there are allegations being made that somehow there's an untoward relationship that has gotten McKinsey business through your—as has been characterized many times by Conservatives here and in the House of Commons—being a close personal friend of the Prime Minister.
I'm going to revisit the first question Ms. Kusie asked you.
Mr. Barton, would you consider yourself a close personal friend of the Prime Minister?
4:45 p.m.
As an Individual
No, I'm not a close personal friend of the Prime Minister.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Do you and the Prime Minister exchange birthday cards every year?