Government Operations Committee on April 28th, 2010

[Nazim Gillani]

Yes.

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

I have two other quick points.

In your memo, the famous memo of September 11—

[Nazim Gillani]

Yes--9/11.

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

—when you were enthusiastic, you say: “Something has happened today that has furthered his”--Dr. Chen's--“level of confidence in what Rahim can do for the China initiative we are involved with as well as the Green rite project...”.

Can you shed some light on that?

[Nazim Gillani]

Sure. I mean, a personable guy, well-spoken--Chen had an instant connection with him.

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

It talks about furthering his level of confidence, so he had already met the man.

[Nazim Gillani]

Yes. I mean socially. They got along great. They enjoyed themselves. They were together quite a bit that evening. They spoke a lot, they spent a lot of time together, and Dr. Chen was impressed.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Ms. Coady, your time is complete.

We're going to turn to Mr. Nadeau for five minutes.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I will share my time with my colleague.

Good afternoon, Mr. Gillani. If I say “Cachet Ladies”, does that ring a bell for you?

[Nazim Gillani]

Yes. It means I read an article by Kevin Donovan.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Are you the owner of an escort agency called Cachet Ladies?

[Nazim Gillani]

No.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Not at all? You are not even a partner or anything of that nature?

[Nazim Gillani]

No, never, nothing, zero.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Had you ever heard of that agency before reading that article in the paper?

[Nazim Gillani]

I have heard about it, yes.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Is it because the owners were people you knew?

[Nazim Gillani]

No, it's not. There was an article done by Kevin Donovan.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

I am asking those very specific questions because I want to clarify some things. Considering that you were sworn in, I would like you to tell me if you know the owners of the agency called Cachet Ladies.

[Nazim Gillani]

No, I don't.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Very well.

We have heard about a possible case of fraud in British Columbia. There have been certain problems over there. Have those fraud accusations in British Columbia been resolved?

[Nazim Gillani]

In B.C.?

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Yes.

[Nazim Gillani]

This is in regard to what specifically...? I've heard 50 different things from Mr. Donovan in his articles. I stopped reading them, so you can—

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

I will be quite direct. Have you had in British Columbia financial problems the effect of which was to create difficulties for your partners?