Evidence of meeting #7 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was president.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
As an Individual
For nine and a half years. I was there before the walls were put up.
Liberal
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
So you've been with it from the beginning.
You told Mr. Abbott, in response to a question from him, that you were under a doctor's care.
Liberal
As an Individual
In fact, I was on sick leave when Mr. Gauthier was appointed. So I never worked under his authority. I was suspended, then dismissed while I was on sick leave.
Liberal
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Let me just repeat that in English. You are a 20-year employee of the organization who was on medical leave, and during the time you were on medical leave, you were put on suspension, and then you were fired.
As an Individual
Yes, and I learned all that through a process server.
Liberal
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
That's unbelievable.
If I may just say so, for the record, I think that's an absolutely disgraceful way to treat a long-term employee. I can't countenance an organization, let alone an organization calling itself Rights and Democracy, that would treat an employee in that way. To me it's unconscionable.
Mr. Panossian, I think you said you were there for six years.
As an Individual
I started at Rights and Democracy in November 2003, and I assumed the position of director in September 2004.
Liberal
Liberal
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
In the pecking order or the hierarchy of the organization, you report directly to Mr. Beauregard.
As an Individual
Yes, the two number twos of the organization were Marie-France and I.
Liberal
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
You were there for six years. After Mr. Beauregard passed away, you were then fired.
As an Individual
Yes, it was the same procedure. I was suspended the same day as Madame Cloutier was suspended and then fired by bailiff the same day that Madame Cloutier was fired.
As an Individual
Well, the letter arrived by bailiff. It was put in my mailbox, which said that I was fired.
Liberal
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
I'm sorry, I'm just a little bit stunned by the way this organization operates.
Can you explain to me...? I mean, you were hired by Mr. Beauregard, is that right?
Liberal