Evidence of meeting #127 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 business.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
No. If the Ethics Commissioner asks you for information, you comply. It's not optional.
NDP
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
I would have to ask my team and look at the act as to what the penalties would be for noncompliance, but I take my responsibilities very seriously.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
The penalty for being in violation is only $500, so I can't imagine that it's material when you're in an industry where you're getting a payout of $250,000 a year.
You've said that you received no earned income and no dividends. At any time did you loan money to the company?
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
With that said, during this process of the Ethics Commissioner's review—I'll call it a review to be charitable to you—you stated that he emphatically cleared you. Then you went on to state that he does not have any information before him, and it's on the basis of the information you've provided.
Liberal
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
—and what is different is that the third letter he sent me was the first time that the commissioner said, "I consider this matter closed."
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
That's the matter that was under review, correct, but I think we can all agree that he has no authority or resources to do the work that we've witnessed the media do, which, quite frankly, has resulted in more information and disclosures that have in turn resulted in additional—I'll call them—reviews. I say it's an investigation, but I'll give you “review”. It was not once, not twice, but three times.
Do you have any knowledge of any information that could come out in the future that would put you back before this committee?
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
I do not, Mr. Green.
I said to Mr. Villemure in French that we do have one of the most robust ethics and conflict of interest systems in the world. We go through a lot of steps to make sure that we comply with the rules, and I followed those rules.
I think what is important to remember from the three letters that I've received from the commissioner is that every single time, he's indicated that I've followed the rules. In the case of the last two issues, the issues related to text messages, he indicated very clearly that I had no operational role in the company, which is what I've always asserted to this august committee.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
You would agree that dealing with matters of outstanding bills is an operational feature.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
No, I did not settle a bill. I informed Mr. Anderson that I received a text from Purolator.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
I would love as much as anybody to be able to move beyond this particular issue. The challenge that faces me is that from the get-go, this has been a sorry tale of allegations of fraud and corruption in some instances. The stories do not add up.
I'll share with you, Mr. Boissonnault, that the testimony of Mr. Anderson, within six minutes.... He's certainly not somebody that I'd be doing business with. I'm quite frankly shocked that as a minister, a senior minister in this government, it took you until 2024 to come to those same conclusions. I would hope that in the days and weeks to come, the Canadian public does have all the information that's available to it.
In closing, I just want to give you the opportunity to state whatever you feel like in your defence so that we hopefully do not see you back in front of this committee on this particular issue.
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
Mr. Green, I really appreciate your frankness. We don't agree on everything in the chamber, but I appreciate your comments today.
I should have done more due diligence on Mr. Anderson. In hindsight, I would not have gone into business with him if I had to do it over again. I was dismayed by his testimony. Quite frankly, I regret all of the time that officers and members of Parliament have had to spend on this matter.
With your good graces, we could put this behind us. That's entirely in your hands.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
Thank you, Minister.
Thank you, Mr. Green.
We have a five-minute round. Mr. Barrett is going to start, and then we're going to go over to Mr. Brock.
You have five minutes, Mr. Barrett. Go ahead, please.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
I have an official document from the Government of Alberta dated March 28, 2020. It's two days before you incorporated Global Health Imports and officially entered into business with Stephen Anderson.
It shows that Stephen Anderson listed seven vehicles as collateral. There were five 2019 Land Rovers and two 2019 Porsches, totalling about $1 million.
Did you know about this, yes or no?
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
You were unaware that your business partner posted seven high-end luxury vehicles as collateral. Is that your story?
Liberal
Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB
I didn't review that as part of the filings of the company. It was his decision to put collateral. I didn't have any collateral up in my particular—
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Are you currently driving any of the Land Rovers or Porsches?
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Okay. I'm quite sure that no one believes you, “Other Randy”.
Mr. Chair, I'll turn it over to Mr. Brock.