Evidence of meeting #17 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was gillani.
A recording is available from Parliament.
May 12th, 2010 / 5:05 p.m.
Liberal
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
We didn't discuss my testimony at all. We've been very particular. Mr. Hamilton conducts--
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Did you discuss the issue about the Fasken law firm?
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
I discussed that with him, the outside of it, very briefly. I went down the road and I said “Look, I've got an issue over Fasken's relation to this Gillani thing that continues out.” He said, “You know what? I don't want to know.” I said, “Fair enough.” I said, “Just so you understand where some of this case and some of the other victims in this case are, it was a cookie cutter scheme.”
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
That's interesting.
What else did you discuss? You discussed this pump-and-dump scheme. You discussed Fasken. What else did you discuss?
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
Mostly, given the nature of his practice, I was further exploring his professional knowledge on securities-related issues. Because it's a U.S.-based shell company, there are some issues now as to whether or not--
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Do you have a solicitor-client relationship with Hamilton?
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Okay. I only have one minute.
You are still a card-carrying member of the Conservative Party. I noted in the CBC News that you--
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
As long as they keep taking my membership fee, I'll still have my card.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Was it your impression that your testimony could, would, or did lead to Madam Guergis's removal from caucus and from cabinet?
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
Again, that's speculative. You'd have to speculate on that.
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
I could, but I won't. It's not professionally sound to do that. You don't make guesses.
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
You make a model. You work on it, and that's how you conduct investigations.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Okay, but as you pointed out earlier, you think you're the only person who's been giving information. I'm simply trying to establish the person the Prime Minister relied on for information.
You can't answer that, but you've indicated that you're the only person you know of who's been speaking about these issues.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
I appreciate that.
What we will do, then, is go over the facts in terms of our current study. We do appreciate your attendance here, Mr. Snowdy.
It's clear to me that the facts remain the same as what we believed them to be when we showed up here: no taxpayer dollars were given to Mr. Jaffer and Mr. Gillani in relation to anything they were working on or any of the companies they were working on behalf of in terms of the renewable energy projects or the green fund in general.
I'm wondering if I can get you to confirm, having gone through today, that we're not unclear about that point--that you have no evidence and no testimony to provide to us that Mr. Gillani or Mr. Jaffer received any funds for themselves or for their clients from those funds for those types of projects.
5:10 p.m.
As an Individual
I have never seen anyone receive money from Mr. Jaffer or Mr. Gillani, either from the government or from anybody else.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Okay. As well, is it the case that you have no evidence to provide to us in terms of the ability of Mr. Jaffer or Mr. Gillani to come up to some secret back door to the Prime Minister's Office or to a relevant minister's offfice to make this type of influence or receive these types of funds?
5:10 p.m.
As an Individual
I can't speak to Mr. Jaffer's business relationships here on the Hill. It would be wildly speculative on my part to suggest that. I have no knowledge of that. I have no knowledge of his having those relationships, but I don't know who his relationships are with.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Right, but you have nothing to provide to us in terms of confirming--
