Information & Ethics Committee on Nov. 8th, 2023

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

He was largely responsible for creating the legal opinion that your company sought after the whistle-blowers made known their complaints. Is that correct?

[Leah Lawrence]

Yes.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

It probably brings to new light, I suppose, the comments by your spokesperson, Janemary Banigan, who commented to the CBC that ”After the investigation began,”—this is the investigation regarding Grant Thornton—“SDTC brought in legal counsel...to conduct an internal review.” She “declined to say...what the results of that review had been, but she told the CBC last month that it had found nothing to substantiate the allegations.”

Ms. Verschuren, in your opening comments or in response to a question, you said that you found the assessment or report done by one of your own to be very thorough— probably very objective, right?

That's very interesting, because obviously the two of you, Ms. Verschuren and Ms. Lawrence, need a refresher, I think, on what conflict of interest really means. Quite frankly, Mr. Vandenberg, being a member of the Ontario Bar, certainly has responsibilities as a lawyer to understand what a conflict of interest is—not an actual conflict, which this clearly is, but a perceived conflict. In fact, he was paid for this report as well.

To both you, Ms. Lawrence and Ms. Verschuren, how much was Mr. Vandenberg paid?

[Leah Lawrence]

If I could correct some assumptions there, Mr. Brock—

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

How much was he paid?

[Leah Lawrence]

First of all, the Osler report—

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Madam, how much was he paid?

[Leah Lawrence]

Let me finish, because I think there are some pertinent facts here—

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

No, I'm asking the question.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

Mr. Brock asked a question, Ms. Lawrence. If you could answer his question—

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

How much was he paid?

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

—and then take some time afterwards—

[Leah Lawrence]

I don't have that information. I think what's important—

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Will you table the information as to how much he was paid?

[Leah Lawrence]

We can do that, of course.

Now, can I correct some things that Mr. Brock said?

Mr. Vandenberg had absolutely nothing to do with the Osler report. As per professional practices in legal situations like these, an independent counsel from Toronto was appointed. They had no communication, as per best practices of the profession.

The assertion that Mr. Vandenberg had anything—

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Ms. Lawrence, this is my time.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

Ms. Lawrence, answer his question.

Mr. Brock, you have the floor. Go ahead.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Ms. Lawrence, this is my time.

[Leah Lawrence]

And mine, too.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

He is a partner at that law firm. There is a conflict of interest procedure and policy in every single law firm.

[Leah Lawrence]

Yes, and it was followed in this case, sir.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

He should have declined that, because they're not the only national firm in Canada. All right—

[Leah Lawrence]

All I know is that professional practices were followed, sir.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

I want to know how much Osler was paid for this report. I want to know specifically what time Mr. Vandenberg put into the report. I also want to bring to your attention section 16 of the Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology Act, which prohibits members from receiving remuneration for that type of service.

[Leah Lawrence]

Mr. Vandenberg had absolutely nothing to do—