Evidence of meeting #122 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was randy.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
—because it would have been a breach of my responsibilities—
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
Thank you, Mr. Boissonnault.
Mr. Green, go ahead for two and a half minutes.
11:50 a.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Minister, when was the last time you had a conversation with Kirsten Poon?
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
It was earlier this week. We are friends. We've known each other for 15 years.
11:50 a.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
You chat. How frequently would you suggest you are in communication with Ms. Poon?
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
Depending on the time of year or what's going on in our friend circle, we would communicate a couple of times a month, perhaps, if not more.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
She is no longer a registered lobbyist. My understanding is that she ceased to be a lobbyist in June 2022.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
That is not true. What happened is that, for work that I did while I was a private citizen, we made sure that all of the dealings that I had as a private citizen were provided to the Ethics Commissioner—
11:50 a.m.
NDP
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
Mr. Green, you know there's a process for that, and that information is with the Ethics Commissioner. The Ethics Commissioner indicated—
11:50 a.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Are you refusing to answer a basic question, Randy, that would help provide some light on this topic?
When was the last time you received money from her?
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
No monies were received by any company that I'm responsible for from Ms. Poon in 2024.
11:55 a.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
That wasn't the question I asked. When was the last time you received money? Was it 2023 or 2022? When was it?
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
Mr. Green, that matter is with the conflict of interest commission. I provided everything to them, and the Ethics Commissioner has said that there's no need to look into my affairs.
11:55 a.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Well, that's great. We'll talk to him next and certainly look at the loopholes that are in that.
Why did you decide to have a deferred payment arrangement?
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
Mr. Green, that is a relationship that was done while I was a private citizen. I shared all of that information with the Ethics Commissioner. The Ethics Commissioner has made it very clear that I have not—
11:55 a.m.
NDP
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
—that there's no need to look into my business affairs.
11:55 a.m.
NDP
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
I received income as a private citizen while I was making a living as a business person, yes.
11:55 a.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
At some point you decided on a deferral agreement. When did you make that decision?
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
Mr. Green, that information has been provided to the Ethics Commissioner. The Ethics Commissioner has looked at my business affairs and said there's no need to look into them.