Information & Ethics Committee on May 10th, 2012

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

I wonder about something. In a way, there is an attempt to undermine Ms. Benoit's leadership. Would there be other plans in the works for the Old Port of Montréal Corporation? You are well aware of the Canada Lands Company. Is it possible that, as part of a budget restructuring, the Old Port of Montréal Corporation might be put under the authority of the Canada Lands Company? Have you been told that, for several months, the Prime Minister's Office has been discussing a decision to put the Old Port of Montréal Corporation completely under the authority of the Canada Lands Company and that its managers would henceforth be the ones managing the Old Port of Montréal?

[Gerry Weiner]

Mr. Chair, I am here today because of someone I met three years ago, Ms. Benoit, and a team more than 425 strong that is doing incredible work. I am going to fight tooth and nail to keep this program and all they have achieved. I am telling you now.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

You used the word “fight”, Mr. Weiner. That means there is a battle to be fought. Are you saying that the government wants to change how the Old Port of Montréal Corporation operates?

[Gerry Weiner]

I have no clue. It's hypothetical at this point. I do know, however, that a consultant was recently contracted to perform a review of four corporations, including the Canada Lands Company and Parc Downsview Park Inc. There were also defence contracts.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Did the government do any consultation?

[Gerry Weiner]

It is a single person, but apparently the contract was awarded by one of the departments. It may have been—

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Did Léo Housakos tell you about the contract?

[Gerry Weiner]

Absolutely not, never.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

As you know, it's worth $500 million. We don't want to see the area covered in condos, like Toronto's waterfront. This is the only piece of the river we have left. Aren't there people talking to you right now about getting their hands on that land for real estate development, precisely where the Old Port of Montreal is currently located?

[Gerry Weiner]

Never, Mr. Chair.

We have this parkland to preserve. It's a heritage; it's a cultural institution.

I have lived in Montreal my entire life. I have spent the past 20 living downtown.

I walk the parkways. I enjoy it. Last Sunday I talked to people on the grounds. This is the jewel they want. It's the number one tourist activity site in Quebec right now, récréotouristique. It's number two in Canada.

We have the unanimous support of all kinds of “intercedents”, like the chambre de commerce and the City of Montreal, and a unanimous resolution of the council of the city of Montreal. Everybody is in agreement that this jewel should be allowed to continue the way it is.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Weiner, I too am a Montrealer, and I agree with you.

You said that a consultant was in the process of reviewing the structures and institutions already in place. You called the area the government's pride and joy, and I agree with you. You said you were going to fight, meaning there is a battle to be fought. Did the minister tell you she wanted to change the Old Port of Montréal Corporation's mandate? If she sought the consultant, did the consultant come and see you himself? Who is it?

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

That was your last question, Mr. Coderre. I will let Mr. Weiner respond.

[Gerry Weiner]

I haven't heard anything at all about it. I did not meet the consultant. All I know is that another person was appointed. That person met with the chairman of the board, the president and CEO, Ms. Benoit, but I know absolutely nothing about what was done.

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

Thank you.

Ms. Davidson, you have seven minutes. Go ahead.

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Mr. Weiner, for joining us today.

It's certainly very evident that you have a big passion for your job, so I commend you for that.

I want to go back to the structure of the Canada Lands Company and the Old Port of Montreal Corporation, just so I'm very clear.

The Canada Lands Company is the sole shareholder of the Old Port of Montreal. Is that correct?

[Gerry Weiner]

Exactly.

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

So you produce separate financial statements, you operate independently, and you're not managed directly or indirectly by the Canada Lands Company.

[Gerry Weiner]

All our reports and financial statements go directly to the minister. The actionnaire participates in appointments of board members and receives the annual reports at a meeting once a year.

Is that correct?

[A voice]

Yes.

[Gerry Weiner]

I just wanted to verify that with my secretary.

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Who was it you just referred to? I didn't quite catch what you said.

[Gerry Weiner]

Do you mean my secretary?

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

No, I mean who participates in board appointments.

[Gerry Weiner]

It's the actionnaire, the chair of Canada Lands, which is the shareholder.

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

So because of your structure you are not subject to all of the sections under the Federal Accountability Act. Is that correct?