Government Operations Committee on April 21st, 2010

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Members of the committee, welcome to meeting number 11. We are studying the renewable energy project funding by the government.

We have before us, from Green Power Generation Corporation, Mr. Jaffer and Mr. Patrick Glémaud.

Gentlemen, I know that you probably know, but I want to reaffirm that whatever you say here is privileged information, because you're before a parliamentary committee, and you need not be concerned about any information that you share.

With that, I understand you have opening remarks. Mr. Jaffer, would you like to go first?

[Rahim Jaffer, Green Power Generation Corporation]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I would like to thank all the members of this committee for the opportunity to be here today as witnesses.

We've been invited here today to participate in a study being undertaken by the committee that relates to renewable energy project funding by the Government of Canada, and lobbying activities associated with that funding.

Madam Chair, when I was elected to Parliament in 1997 as the first Muslim MP, many people, including my family, were very excited about this achievement, especially because of where we came from and the circumstances around our arrival to Canada. As you are aware, Madam Chair, we share the same cultural background. Many of our families escaped persecution in Uganda and we were fortunate to come here as refugees.

Starting our lives as proud Canadians, we left behind the murderous regime of Idi Amin, where people were killed on the basis of allegations without any ability to defend themselves. We embraced the idea of becoming Canadians and we were proud to make this our home. The ideals of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law are ideals many take for granted. These were things that meant so much to us starting our new lives here in Canada.

I remember my family teaching me that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible. They were right. Who would have imagined that a poor refugee family, 24 years later, would have their son sitting in the national legislature as a federal member of Parliament? I was proud of that achievement and honoured to have had the opportunity to serve in this capacity.

After the last election, my life changed. After nearly a dozen years of serving as an MP, it was time to shift gears and start a new direction. I got married and I hoped to start a new family. Having just finished my executive MBA, I joined with my university friend on work to start a new business, Green Power Generation, GPG, specializing in helping to commercialize innovative technology solutions that are profitable and good for the environment. The strength I bring to this company as a director is my ability to communicate with various stakeholders and mainly to develop new opportunities in emerging markets such as India and China.

Initially, when our names appeared as witnesses, I found it unusual that the committee wanted to speak to us, as our business does not conduct any lobbying activities, nor do we attempt to secure any public funding for our work. Then it became clear, from the vicious attacks from media sources and in particular the opposition parties, that the reason we were being hauled in front of this committee was due to second-hand allegations, rumour, and innuendo, all based on political agendas that have been playing fast and furious with people's reputations, destroying their lives without any basis in fact and not allowing them to defend themselves appropriately.

In regard to the subject matter being studied at this committee, for the record, the facts of this case are as follows. One, GPG and its directors have not received any money from any grant, contribution, or other financial benefit, or on behalf of the Government of Canada. GPG and its directors, number two, have not received any compensation or payments on behalf of any person or organization to undertake any lobbying activities.

It is my understanding that the matter I have been called upon to appear before this committee as a witness has been referred to an officer of Parliament, the commissioner of lobbying. Her office is the appropriate venue under the Lobbying Act to establish whether any of these allegations are founded or not. I find it passing strange that the Liberal Party of Canada, which demanded that the office of the commissioner investigate this matter, is not prepared to follow due process and wait for her findings. Instead, for short-term political gain, they are undermining any appearance of fairness by requesting witnesses to testify in front of this committee on the same matter.

With that being said, many of you have known me personally over the years I served this country. I have held in high regard the friendships I have developed on both sides of the House. After the devastating result of my last election loss, there is no doubt that many of those friends, be they MPs, ministers, or senators, would naturally inquire about me. If we had the opportunity to meet, it would be socially to catch up. Obviously, people would be curious as to the type of career I was embarking upon, and I would update them on the work we were doing in trying to build a new business. That would be the extent of the conversation as it related to my business affairs. In fact, over the past eight months I have had no interaction with anyone, due to the challenges I faced last fall.

I would like to take a moment to say a couple of things about those challenges, Madam Chair.

As most people know, I exercised poor judgment when I decided to drive home on the night of September 10, 2009. I was careless. I had a few drinks, and I should never have taken the risk of operating a motor vehicle. I want to apologize to those communities for being irresponsible, and I assure them that I have learned my lesson. I do want to state for the record, however, that I have never partaken of any illegal substance, nor have I ever endorsed this type of behaviour. This is why I believe the charges were dropped against me. But with that being said, I should have taken more care not to be put into this compromising situation.

I want to take this opportunity to publicly apologize to my former colleagues for the trouble this whole episode has caused them. I believe they know me well enough to agree that this was very out of character and not my usual behaviour.

I also want to apologize to my family, both immediate and new. The pain and suffering they have had to endure because of my actions have been immeasurable. If it were not for their unconditional love and support, I don't know how we would have made it through this incredibly difficult time.

Finally, I want to apologize to my wife, Helena. I've always tried to support her in her work, and I know the error of this judgment created significant problems for her politically. She's been a good minister, a great MP for her constituents, and I want to thank the people of Simcoe—Grey for their continued support of her hard work and dedication. She is the most important person in my life and I love her dearly. It is very unfortunate that her good name has been dragged into my problems so unfairly.

To conclude, Madam Chair, I would like to ask all members of this committee, and by extension all members of the House, to take a step back and take a look at the precedent they are setting. Instead of setting the bar at a record low, where people's lives are being destroyed on the basis of rumour and unsubstantiated allegations for short-term political benefit, set the bar at a higher standard. Base your arguments on fact and allow people to defend themselves fairly, not hide behind parliamentary privilege to level these personal attacks.

The foundation of our system is based on the rule of law and the presumption of innocence, something completely absent in the treatment of me, my partner, and particularly my wife. All Canadians deserve no less from their political representatives. If this were the standard, I am certain that I would not have had to be here today.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Thank you, Mr. Jaffer.

We'll now go to Mr. Glémaud, for ten minutes.

[Patrick Glémaud, Green Power Generation Corporation]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, I appreciate the opportunity to appear before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates as a witness pertaining to a study of renewable energy project funding by the Government of Canada and associated lobbying and advising activities associated with such funding.

My name is Patrick Glémaud. I was born on August 13, 1968, in Haiti. I am married to a beautiful, extremely patient, and intelligent lady, Lenore, and I have four great and wonderful sons. Our new baby boy, named Bena, was born just four weeks ago.

My family moved to Canada when I was a teenager. We first settled in Montreal, we moved to Toronto, and we came to Ottawa in 1988. We were a family of six living in a two-bedroom apartment. My dad was sick and had to go on disability. My mom managed to get a part-time job as a supplementary teacher. I appreciate the sacrifice my parents made for me by leaving their home country to make a better life for their children in Canada. I'm a proud Canadian and I'm proud of my parents.

Through hard work and the guidance of my parents, I was able to overcome the obstacle of living in a low-income immigrant family and put myself through university and law school. I became heavily involved in student and community-based organizations. My motivation for community volunteering was my desire to share my knowledge and expertise and to learn from others. Being a new Canadian, I felt the need and responsibility to give back to this great land and people. I have a strong sense of pride in my community work.

Madam Chair, I am a hard-working Canadian. My first job was as a delivery boy for the Journal de Montréal . From there, I was fortunate to enjoy a variety of fantastic jobs with great social learning potential--as a farm seasonal worker, a porter for VIA Rail, a dishwasher at the CN Tower, and a guardsman with the Canadian armed forces reserve for the Governor General's Foot Guards, where I participated in the changing of the guard on Parliament Hill.

My first professional job after university, in 1995, was as a law student at community legal services, providing free legal representation and advice to low-income families. As a lawyer, I volunteered with the RCMP community police. I was also involved as a business mentor for immigrant and ethnic minority entrepreneurs, being board members of community-based organizations in and around Ottawa.

In 2002, Madam Chair, I became a public servant, and joined the Department of Justice of Canada. I later was promoted as senior counsel for corporate and commercial matters related to renewable energy and climate change. I had the opportunity to undertake and direct a wide range of assignments. I was asked to draft the first agreement of purchase of carbon credits by the Government of Canada, in 2002, in relation to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's announcement in Johannesburg that Canada would ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

I advised the federal government, mainly under the previous Liberal administration, and received various awards of excellence for my work. One that I am most proud of is being a recipient of the international visitor leadership program of the U.S. Department of State, climate change and energy security policy, in June of 2008.

In November of 2008 I incorporated GPG, Green Power Generation Corp., under Canadian law, as its first director. My friend Mr. Rahim Jaffer became a director in April of 2009.

Madam Chair, as stated on GPG's website, GPG specializes in commercializing “innovative technology solutions...in greenhouse gas mitigation”. As well, “GPG advises commercial enterprises on the course of action required to integrate and expand renewable energy capacity, improve energy efficiency, and...implement...cost-effective green power solutions to every corner of our planet.”

Madam Chair, based on the invitation to appear in front of this committee, it is stated that our testimony is restricted and is regarding a study of renewable energy project funding by the Government of Canada and lobbying and advising activities associated with such funding.

Madam Chair, as you are aware, the same subject matter in study by your committee was raised in a letter from the Liberal Party of Canada sent to the commissioner of lobbying dated April 12, 2010. It is stated in the said letter that the commissioner of lobbying has the authority to conduct an investigation into whether the activities of representatives of GPG are fully compliant with the provisions of the act and the lobbyists code of conduct.

Madam Chair, in response to the letter from the Liberal Party of Canada, a letter was sent to the commissioner of lobbying giving notice that GPG and its directors intend to cooperate fully with the office of the commissioner if any investigation or review is initiated regarding the alleged violations raised by the Liberal Party of Canada.

Last Friday, Madam Chair, I had a conversation with the director of investigations from the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada concerning the allegations raised by the Liberal Party of Canada. For the record, it is our position that having the same subject matter, based on the same facts, being heard by this committee while it is being reviewed by the office of the commissioner is contrary to natural justice and creates an appearance of double jeopardy, unfair treatment, and, simply put, the results of ongoing political machination.

However, Madam Chair, I decided to appear in front of this committee to defend my good name and reputation against allegations and innuendo that are completely unfounded and untruthful in law and in fact. Madam Chair, the ongoing circus, as acknowledged by one member of this committee, and these lies being perpetrated by the opposition parties are causing irreparable harm to my reputation and my ability to provide for my family.

Madam Chair, I am a hard-working new Canadian who abides by the rules. I am lucky and proud to be living in Canada. The cornerstone of this great country is the rule of law, based on the presumption of innocence.

In regard to the subject matter being studied by this committee, for the record, the facts are as follows.

GPG and its directors have not received any money from any grants, contributions, or other financial benefits by or on behalf of the Government of Canada. And GPG and its directors have not received any compensation or payments on behalf of any person or organization to undertake lobbying activities.

Madam Chair, based on the summary of new requirements dated June 2008 published by the Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists: “The Lobbying Act defines activities that, when carried out for compensation, are considered to be lobbying”.

As someone who believes in encouraging Canadians—

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Mr. Glémaud, you'll have to wrap up.

[Patrick Glémaud]

Indeed I will, Madam Chair.

As someone who believes in encouraging Canadians in developing new technologies and businesses that are profitable, create jobs, enhance our productivity and competitiveness while protecting the environment, Madam Chair, I continuously gather information on policies and initiatives in that regard.

Madam Chair, I am now available to take your questions on the topic and the scope, as stipulated in the invitation we received from the clerk.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Thank you.

We'll go to the first round of questions.

We have Ms. Siobhan Coady, for eight minutes.

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Thank you very much.

Thank you to you both for appearing today. I think you both mentioned in your opening statements that you appreciate the opportunity to appear so that you can bring forward your perspective on some of the things that have been said, and so that you can bring what you want to say forward. So I'm glad that you're both here today.

First of all, I'd like to ask Mr. Jaffer a question.

Mr. Jaffer, on your website you offer to help secure support from the Canadian government. That was on your website. Is it a fair representation of what you do for your clients?

[Rahim Jaffer]

Our business, as I mentioned in my opening remarks.... The extent of our business is to advise people, from experience that both Mr. Glémaud and I have had with government. By no means do we ever try to secure public funding. We give the information that we gather to people we speak with, as to how they can go about doing that. But we don't do it.

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Thank you.

I'm going to be rather quick, because we have only eight minutes. As you can appreciate, being a former member of Parliament, that's very quick.

Even though you say “secure support from the Canadian government”, you're saying that's not really what you do. You advise people.

[Rahim Jaffer]

Yes.

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Thank you.

Now, we know that you spoke with Brian Jean, who's the parliamentary secretary to Minister Baird, who's responsible for infrastructure, in particular for a billion dollars of the green fund. We know that you spoke with MinisterPrentice, the Minister of the Environment. And we know that you had dinner with Mr. Baird; that has been established.

Mr. Jaffer, have you spoken with any other members of the Conservative caucus or senior government officials on any business projects in which you have a direct or indirect financial interest?

[Rahim Jaffer]

I would like to clarify, because it's—

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Please do.

[Rahim Jaffer]

You're suggesting that I may have discussed business with the particular members you identified in your question. As I mentioned in my statement, most of my interactions with any of my former colleagues have always been social. I've never discussed any business, never even asked them for anything, other than to give them an update on what I've been working on.

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Just for clarity purposes, because we know Mr. Jean had said that you gave him three proposals, are you saying that's not correct?

[Rahim Jaffer]

I hadn't submitted any proposals. I had asked him initially for some information—as I said, information-gathering about the green infrastructure fund when it was launched by the government in the former budget. He directed me to his assistant, who would provide that information, and she did. That was the extent of my involvement in any interaction on any other file with their office.

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

We know that you spoke with Minister Prentice, because he acknowledged that you spoke to him about the green fund.

[Rahim Jaffer]

When I ran into Minister Prentice, I think he even mentioned that it was a very short conversation. We ran into each other, I believe, at a social event here on Parliament Hill. He just asked me what work I was doing, and I told him. We had never talked at all about the green fund, that I recall.

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

I think he said you asked whether he was responsible for the green fund.

I want to go back to the question I asked. Have you spoken with any other member—we know of those three—of the Conservative caucus or senior government official on any business project in which you have direct or indirect financial interest?

[Rahim Jaffer]

No.

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Okay.

When was the last time you spoke with the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister's Office? Are you saying you have not, based on what you just...?

[Rahim Jaffer]

The last time I had any discussion with the Prime Minister was ten days after the 2008 election. The Prime Minister was kind enough to find out what my plans were in the near future. I hadn't made any decisions at that time. But I assured him at that time, because of my wife's involvement in the government, that I would never ever undertake any business that involved any sort of lobbying activity or that would put any unfair demands on the government to put them in any conflict of interest. I have to stress that.

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Thank you.

I'm going to go back to what you said about Brian Jean. He's the parliamentary secretary to Minister Baird. He did say that you submitted three proposals to him, so I'm a little confused as to.... We have on the one hand Mr. Jean saying that he's seen three proposals, and you're saying that you did not submit three proposals. Can you clarify or give me some indication of what you're...?

[Rahim Jaffer]

Sure. I'll let my partner clarify that, because he is the one who was dealing with their office on that.