Government Operations Committee on Feb. 28th, 2008

[Michael Fortier]

I am, sir, indeed.

[Daryl Kramp, Conservative, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

What riding would you be planning on running in?

[Michael Fortier]

I'll run in Vaudreuil--Soulanges.

[Daryl Kramp, Conservative, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

Could you tell us the nominated candidates or members there that you would be running against?

[Michael Fortier]

That would be Meili Faille.

[Daryl Kramp, Conservative, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

Oh, you would be running against the Bloc candidate who brought forward the motion against you today to solicit you here?

[Michael Fortier]

I believe that to be the case, sir. I know it's a coincidence, but it's a good thing you singled it out.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Daryl Kramp, Conservative, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

I just thought I'd put that into the record, since we obviously have a typical abuse of some of the activities that sometimes go on here.

Might I say, Minister, I think we've heard a fair bit of testimony today, and particularly about the close affiliation that Mr. Rosenberg had with regard to the Liberal Party, and the fundraisers, and on and on.

Of course, you're probably very, very familiar with Mr. Rosenberg. How many times have you been at events and how many times have you really run into Mr. Rosenberg? Has he had official meetings with you?

[Michael Fortier]

I'm tempted to say the first time I ran into him was actually five minutes ago.

[Daryl Kramp, Conservative, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

That's the first time you--

[Michael Fortier]

I believe so. We may have met at a large Chamber of Commerce function; he may have come over and shook.... But, frankly, I do not know the individual at all.

[Daryl Kramp, Conservative, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

But Mr. Rosenberg or any delegations have never made any--

[Michael Fortier]

No.

[Daryl Kramp, Conservative, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

--any entrees directly to you at any particular time?

[Michael Fortier]

They have not. Well, they didn't make them to me personally.

[Daryl Kramp, Conservative, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

You've had no brown bags end up on your desk or anything like that?

[Michael Fortier]

No, sir.

[Daryl Kramp, Conservative, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

Okay. Well, thank you.

There's an inference that going directly to ministers such as yourself would dramatically change the course of the fortunes of people, and that ministers like yourself would arbitrarily just do things for individuals at the expense of the public treasury.

Now, since this government, our Conservative government, has come to power, and you've been a minister regarding Public Works, have there been any major changes in the direction of litigation or have there been any cases settled out of court with reference to the Rosdev file?

[Michael Fortier]

No. As I said earlier, I inherited a file that was already before the courts. When I was briefed on this matter by my deputy and his senior staff, I was satisfied that they had undertaken the right course of action, that they were properly defending the crown's rights, and I still believe that to be the case today, two years later.

[Daryl Kramp, Conservative, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

Fine.

Did that deputy chief of staff, Mr. Loiselle, make direct representation to you suggesting dramatic changes to that, or that the Rosdev file should have your special attention?

[Michael Fortier]

Absolutely not.

[Daryl Kramp, Conservative, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

I really have no more questions, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Thank you.

Mr. Angus is next.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Thank you.

It's always good to follow up after my friend, Mr. Kramp, because he helped set up a very clear picture for us.

I remember the first time we met, Mr. Fortier, I said, “How many times do you meet lobbyists?” and you said, “I don't meet lobbyists.”