Canadian Heritage Committee on March 23rd, 2011

[Tom Pentefountas]

No, what happened is that at the end of November or the start of December, I received several calls from journalists. I specifically recall that someone called me at home around 7:00 p.m. and told me that I had been appointed. I said that it was news to me, that I knew nothing about it, and that no one had advised me of the appointment or shared that news with me and that consequently, I could not comment.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

You never said that you had never been approached about the appointment?

[Tom Pentefountas]

No, what I said is that I had not received any news about the appointment. I said, in fact, that it was news to me.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

It appeared in all the newspapers.

[Tom Pentefountas]

There are undoubtedly things—

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Questions on the matter were even raised in the House of Commons, and you were not aware of that?

[Tom Pentefountas]

Things are undoubtedly published in the newspaper about you, Ms. Lavallée, which are not necessarily true. So, it was the answer—

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

If someone said something about me that wasn't true, I would put out a press release. I would react, I would try to set the record straight.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Ms. Lavallée.

Mr. Pentefountas, you have the floor.

[Tom Pentefountas]

I have never read that article, I have never even seen it. When you are living your life in Montreal, taking care of your practice, your clients and your family, you don't necessarily read everything there is in the newspapers. Did you read that in iPolitics?

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

It was in all the papers. As I said, there were questions about it in the House of Commons.

[Tom Pentefountas]

This may come as a surprise to you, but not all Canadians watch question period regularly.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Merci, Monsieur Pentefountas.

Mr. Angus.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Pentefountas, you're very busy in Montreal. You don't follow question period.

You're now the vice-chair. When did you put in your application—I've heard a couple of dates—that had been posted in the Canada Gazette for this position?

[Tom Pentefountas]

I don't know when the application was put in specifically. What I do know is that in mid-August I received a call, I don't know from which department.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

But did you put in before—

[Tom Pentefountas]

I had expressed an interest in the post.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

“Expressed an interest” isn't the same. Did you put in a résumé? Did you officially apply?

[Tom Pentefountas]

Mr. Housakos applied--in other words, he deposited the résumé for me.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

So Mr. Housakos called you and said, “Hey, we're old pals. I've got a job here.”

When did he make that call?

[Tom Pentefountas]

I can't give you the exact date, and it didn't happen necessarily in those terms.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

When? Are you saying August?

[Tom Pentefountas]

Spring 2010.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Spring 2010. There were eight people short-listed, and you weren't one of them. Mr. Housakos calls you and says “This is a job I think you should take.”

[Tom Pentefountas]

That's not the case. There had been jobs that had been suggested--