Information & Ethics Committee on Feb. 12th, 2008

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Thank you kindly.

Colleagues, let me explain to everyone why Mr. Alford is by video conference. As you know, we had ten witnesses to schedule in only three meetings. We had numerous changes at the last minute, and it required me to ask certain people to meet at a time when they had conflicts. Mr. Alford was one of them, and he agreed to accommodate us. So the reason he's by video conference is due to my scheduling needs rather than his desire to be by video conference. I want you to understand that clearly it was for our own purposes.

I thank you, Mr. Alford, for accepting our invitation and for accommodating us to meet our scheduling plans.

Mr. Alford was an aide to former premier Frank Moores in Newfoundland. He later worked in Ottawa at GCI, Government Consultants International, with Mr. Moores, who was the president. We understand Mr. Alford was a senior vice-president responsible for handling donations and fundraising dinner contributions, etc., at GCI and was also responsible for the Bear Head file.

Good afternoon, Mr. Alford.

[Greg Alford]

Good afternoon.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Your name was submitted to me on December 15 as a priority witness. We thank you for accepting our invitation to appear today voluntarily.

I will now ask that you be sworn in. We've made arrangements. I understand there is a representative at your location with a Bible, and a clerk here will administer the oath.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Richard Rumas]

Good afternoon, Mr. Alford. Do you have the Bible in your hand?

[Greg Alford]

Yes.

[The Clerk]

Repeat after me, please: The evidence I shall give on this examination shall be the truth and the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.

[Greg Alford]

The evidence I shall give on this examination shall be the truth and the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Thank you, sir.

The matter before us obviously is very serious, and we hope you can clarify and/or help us to better understand certain matters that have been brought before the committee.

As you know, it's our practice to advise all witnesses that refusal to answer a question is not an option. However, if you believe there is valid reason that a question not be answered, I will hear your argument and make a ruling. As a courtesy to the translators—and I don't think it's going to be a problem on video conference—I hope you won't speak too quickly, but I will give you time to fully answer questions that are posed to you.

Do you have any questions for me before we begin?

[Greg Alford]

No.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Thank you.

Do you have an opening statement to make, sir?

[Greg Alford]

Yes, a very brief one.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

I invite you now to address the committee.

[Greg Alford]

The committee has invited me to appear as a witness and respond to questions relating to my time of employment at GCI.

I worked in a government relations firm that was owned by Frank Moores. We researched and monitored policy developments and regulatory activity of the federal government, with a particular focus on industrial policy and crown procurement projects.

In 1985, Mr. Moores merged his firm with a business similar, owned by Gerald Doucet. The new firm was called Government Consultants International, or GCI. In addition to the founding partners, the firm initially employed about six consultants and researchers. As the firm grew, the consultant and research group increased to about 12.

GCI provided services to Canadian and international clients who were interested in monitoring Canadian government policy, tracking and contributing to the policy process through procedures and presentations to forums such as the House of Commons committee process, tracking regulatory developments, and bidding on major crown projects. I worked in GCI, and my responsibilities included assisting clients in preparations for these areas.

That's a summary of my work at GCI. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Thank you very much, Mr. Alford.

We will now move to questions, beginning with Mr. Dhaliwal.

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Welcome, Mr. Alford.

First of all, were you aware Mr. Schreiber had retained the services of Mr. Mulroney to lobby on behalf of the Thyssen Bear Head project?

[Greg Alford]

No, I was not.

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Newton—North Delta, BC]

On November 21, 1994, Mr. Schreiber withdrew funds from the Britan account. The same day, he wrote in his daytimer, “Pierre NY” and “50 Britan”.

On the same date, according to Mr. Schreiber's daytimer, he met with you at a New York hotel. What was discussed at this meeting? Could you tell the committee, please?

[Greg Alford]

Could you give me some more information about the location of the meeting you're referring to?

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Newton—North Delta, BC]

It's coming from Mr. Schreiber's diary. On November 21, it says that he met with you at a New York hotel.

[Greg Alford]

To the best of my recollection, that might have been an event that I attended on behalf of Thyssen for a group called Atlantic Bridge. It was an event that included government and industry—Canadian, U.S., and European. I think I was a representative simply attending the conference and speeches. I know Mr. Schreiber was an active participant in that. I was an audience member in the luncheon or dinner, whatever it might have been.

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Do you recall Mr. Mulroney's name coming up at this meeting?

[Greg Alford]

No.

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Two weeks later, on December 8, 1994, Mr. Schreiber met with Mr. Mulroney in New York at the Pierre Hotel. This is where the final Schreiber payment was made to Mr. Mulroney.

Then next day, December 9, 1994, Mr. Schreiber's daytimer notes a meeting with Marc, Fred, Greg, and Frank. Did the people at this meeting include you, the Honourable Marc Lalonde, Mr. Fred Doucet, and Mr. Frank Moores?

[Greg Alford]

I'm sorry, the event that I referred to earlier could have been in November or December of 1994. I remember attending an event in New York on behalf of the company. I can't remember the specific meeting that you're describing now.

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Newton—North Delta, BC]

But on or around that date, do you recall having a meeting with these four people that I mentioned?