Information & Ethics Committee on Feb. 5th, 2021

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

I just want to say that I take your point at the beginning—

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Thank you, Ms. Stubbs.

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

I'm sorry, Chair.

I just want to say that I should have worded that differently. I agree.

[David Tassillo]

No worries.

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

The key difference, of course, is that it's your platform that is designed specifically to monetize and profit from this specific content—

[David Tassillo]

I respectfully disagree.

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

—versus other platforms that are—

[David Tassillo]

For consenting, approved, clean content.

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Other platforms can allow it, but that's not their primary purpose.

[David Tassillo]

No, and I agree—

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

That's just common sense.

[David Tassillo]

It is.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Thank you, Madam Stubbs. Your time is up.

[David Tassillo]

We're definitely targeting the adult market. I agree with you.

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

We'll move now to Ms. Shanahan.

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

Thank you very much, Chair.

Mr. Antoon, for the record, what is your title?

[Feras Antoon]

I'm the CEO of the MindGeek Canada division.

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

Am I to understand that you are the CEO for all of MindGeek's billing entities worldwide?

[Feras Antoon]

No, that's not correct—only for the Canadian subsidiary, which provides services to the European subsidiary.

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

Can I ask you how much you were paid last year, in 2020?

[Feras Antoon]

I've been asked that question before. I think this is a private, personal matter. I'd like not to share that with the committee.

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

I find that very interesting that you consider your financial information to be private and confidential, in view of the business that you're in.

Mr. Antoon, it has been reported that you are building a sprawling mansion in the north end of Montreal, that you and your wife own two other large properties in Quebec, including a compound in the Laurentians, and that you drive a Lamborghini Urus. Are these assets yours, or are they owned by MindGeek or one of the related companies?

[Feras Antoon]

I don't understand how what I own is relevant to this committee. Number two, I don't think it's illegal to own a house or a property. I don't own anything in the Laurentians. If you look at the media reports—

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

I'm asking if it's owned by you or by MindGeek?