Evidence of meeting #5 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was schreiber.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Karlheinz Schreiber  As an Individual
Gregory Tardi  Senior Parliamentary Counsel (Legal), House of Commons
Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Richard Rumas

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

What was the amount of the payment?

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Karlheinz Schreiber

I have no idea.

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

You have no idea, but you know it wasn't $500,000.

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

How did you meet Mr. Lalonde?

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Karlheinz Schreiber

Mr. Lalonde became a lawyer for me for certain business actions I had privately. He was recommended to me, if I recall this right, I think through Mr. Moores.

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

Why did you make a $10,000 donation to the Liberals in 1993?

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Karlheinz Schreiber

In 1993.... I cannot answer this question. I have no recollection.

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

It's on the record that you made such a payment. Do you know why?

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

Yes. The Liberals were about to take power; that was public knowledge. Would that have been one of your reasons?

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Karlheinz Schreiber

I have not the smallest clue how that happened.

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

One of the questions to which we will be seeking an answer in the coming days, Mr. Schreiber, and to help you better prepare as you go through your notes, pursuant to the warrant, is what financial dealings you might have had with other politicians, current or former, and/or senior public office holders. We want to make sure you know that so that you can guide yourself and inform your choices as you go through the thousands of pages of documents you say you have to consult.

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Karlheinz Schreiber

Well, we have to make one thing very clear. In the Thyssen company and the companies I represented, of which I was the chairman, we had employees, and they went and made donations on our behalf to fundraising dinners and whatsoever. I, myself, was earlier a member of the 500 of the Conservatives. So how do I know whatever I paid for them? I didn't care.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

You have less than one minute, Mr. Mulcair.

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

Were there any discussions between you and Mr. Mulroney about these payments, this $300,000 payment in particular, being made as a gift with no services expected in return?

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

It was always clear that there were services expected in return?

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Karlheinz Schreiber

Yes. And as I said earlier, this is the question of the lawsuit, and I'm not prepared to answer anything more on that.

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

Well, you just did, Mr. Schreiber, and I thank you for your answer.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

Thank you kindly.

The final five minutes left go to Mr. Hubbard, please.

November 29th, 2007 / 1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Charles Hubbard Liberal Miramichi, NB

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Schreiber, I know it's very difficult for you. Yesterday you were somewhere else. You probably didn't have a good night's sleep, and you're before up to 20 people, I guess, when you look around the table, who are looking to ask you all kinds of questions from over the last 25 years.

I'd like to just go to one particular affidavit dealing with correspondence between you and.... You say he's no longer your friend, but he was your friend, apparently, back in July 2006. Apparently you wrote a letter to Mr. Mulroney at that time and indicated you had some problems that needed to be addressed. You were led to believe, in that letter, that a meeting was to be held at Harrington Lake and that Mr. Mulroney at that point would be able to help you with some of your legal problems, in terms of your Canadian citizenship and staying in this country.

Do you recall that letter?

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Charles Hubbard Liberal Miramichi, NB

What did the Honourable Brian Mulroney promise to do with that letter?