Government Operations Committee on Feb. 28th, 2008

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Would you like the Bloc to lead off?

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

No, I'm ready.

Welcome, Mr. Fortier. As I was saying earlier, I have the impression that I'm attending a family gathering because everyone is from Laval. I hope Canada won't think that terrible things are happening in Laval. On the contrary, Laval is a very lovely city and a nice place to call home. We go back a long way, you and I. Welcome and thank you for agreeing to come here today.

When were you told that the PMO was interested in the Rosdev Group file?

[Michael Fortier]

To be quite honest, my chief of staff informed me that he had met with Mr. Soudas. I don't know if that qualifies as interest on the part of the PMO. Mr. Soudas asked him some questions and a meeting took place. That was when I learned that Mr. Soudas had contacted my chief of staff.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Did your staff tell you about the meeting of August 2, 2006 in the Langevin Block?

[Michael Fortier]

Yes, absolutely.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

According to our sources, some members of your staff, Mr. Dimitri Soudas and representatives of the Rosdev Group were in attendance. Is that correct?

[Michael Fortier]

You're saying that some representatives of the Rosdev Group were at the meeting?

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Yes.

[Michael Fortier]

At the August 2 meeting?

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Yes, Minister, at the August 2, 2006 meeting.

[Michael Fortier]

To my knowledge, the meeting was attended by staff from my office, by Mr. Soudas, I believe, and by another person working with Mr. Soudas. I was not at the meeting.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

But clearly, some of your staff were there?

[Michael Fortier]

Yes, of course.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Did your staff members inform you that the PMO had suggested you consider the possibility of suspending or staying legal action against the Rosdev Group?

[Michael Fortier]

No.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Aside from the meeting in question, did the PMO intervene in this matter on any other occasions?

[Michael Fortier]

Mr. Soudas put several questions to my chief of staff. He met with him and, to my knowledge, there were no other meetings between Mr. Soudas or someone from the PMO, and members of my staff, as you said.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

And aside from the meeting in question, did the PMO intervene in this matter on any other occasions?

[Michael Fortier]

To my knowledge, no.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Were you made aware that Dimitri Soudas had sent one or more e-mails to your office concerning this matter?

[Michael Fortier]

No, I do not believe I was told of any e-mails.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Is it common practice for the PMO to give you precise instructions on how to manage cases like the Rosdev Group matter?

[Michael Fortier]

Absolutely not.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

What do you know about Mr. Housakos' involvement in this matter?

[Michael Fortier]

I don't know anything about that.