Evidence of meeting #125 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 anderson.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
Thank you, Mr. Barrett.
We're going to go to Mr. Bains now for five minutes.
Go ahead, Mr. Bains.
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to our witnesses for joining us today.
Ms. Poon, I think you indicated that you worked together and that between 2019 and 2021 Minister Boissonnault did not participate in any lobbying activity. Can you confirm that?
As an Individual
In 2020 and 2021 Minister Boissonnault was a private citizen. He complied with his cooling-off period and he has never been involved in any of my lobbying activities.
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
So the minister never sat in or arranged meetings with government officials at all during that period?
As an Individual
He never sat in on any meetings, and he has never helped me set up or engage in any meetings with any government officials.
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
What about Mr. Anderson? Can you confirm that you hadn't met Mr. Anderson before today?
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
You have no insight into operations of the company Global Health Imports?
As an Individual
I have no insight into any of the operations of Global Health Imports.
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
Just on the name use, some members have expressed concern about Minister Boissonnault's use of the legal name of your company in the ethics disclosure. I think you spoke about that versus the trade name Navis Group. You changed the name of your company to Navis Group after the election.
How about the grant process? Can you talk a little bit about the grant process? We've heard also in media reports that the government is just handing out grants willy-nilly here, but based on single meetings could you talk in a general sense about the grant application process and how detailed and thorough it is when you're looking to apply for any grants?
As an Individual
Yes. I'm happy to answer the question. Thank you. This is very important.
The grant application process is very rigorous. It requires a lot of detailed information, and it's reviewed by many eyes. All grant programs have a set of criteria that need to be met before any of the approvals, and this review and approval process takes a long time. It's not just meeting with officials and then receiving a cheque. There is a very arduous grant application process that needs to happen.
As an Individual
I think it varies. I don't have a lot of experience in this area, but I think it can take months, a year or even longer, depending on what's needed.
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
So for your company, who was putting the grant application forward?
As an Individual
The Edmonton International Airport put together their grant application.
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
I'm going to move on to Mr. Anderson.
You've confirmed already, I believe, that Minister Boissonnault stepped down as director of GHI following his election. Can you confirm that Minister Boissonnault is not named in any outstanding lawsuits GHI may be dealing with?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
I don't think your microphone was on. I don't know, Mr. Bains, whether you got that answer, but he did answer, “That's correct,” just so you're aware.
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
That's correct. Okay. Yes, I wasn't sure.
On June 4 Global News reported on a text you had with a representative of a company called the Ghaoui Group, and an exchange. Even though you made the statement to Global, saying the individual, named Randy, mentioned in the exchange was not the minister, can you confirm again...? You indicated that you can provide this information—maybe in camera—but can you maybe provide that in writing at some point?
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
The name of the other Randy, the individual you're talking about when you said it was an autocorrect and it was not the minister. You indicated today that you're willing to share that in camera. Can you share that in writing to the committee?
As an Individual
I would share it with the committee, just as the last member asked about.... In June you asked me for records. I did reply back to the clerk and offered to provide the text messages and call logs. I did ask that private information about my health and family be held in camera and not—
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
I'm sorry, Mr. Anderson, but you indicated that you're willing to provide that information in camera. I'm just asking, will you provide the correct information, the correct name, the un-autocorrected name, to the committee in writing in some capacity? Can you submit that to us?
