Evidence of meeting #21 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 point.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Madam Chair, I asked a simple yes or no question.
Conservative
Christian Paradis Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
I was always happy to see innovative ideas presented when I was at Public Works and Government Services Canada. I ensured that non-partisan public servants kept the department duly informed. Part of the 2010 Estimates targets innovative ideas. PWGSC is responsible for this area.
So then, there is access to the department, absolutely.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Thank you. I guess that's a yes, Mr. Paradis. I have another question. Thank you for your answer.
Mr. Paradis, on August 27, Rahim Jaffer wrote to your staff, the director of parliamentary affairs, Sébastien Togneri—who was supposed to appear today—and this was in the e-mail: “I just spoke with Christian and we are going to try and get together for beers next week”, and “He also suggested that I coordinate with you the chance to find someone like the deputy minister to speak with” about a proposal.
Did you personally order that his proposal be fast-tracked? Just a simple yes or no.
Conservative
Christian Paradis Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Mr. Jaffer did in fact call me to say that he had an innovative idea about solar panels or some such thing. I told him to contact my office to set up a meeting with officials to see if his ideas held any interest, making it clear that—
Liberal
Conservative
Christian Paradis Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
—if anything came of the meeting, there would be a competitive process, or a call for bids. That was made clear from the outset.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Thank you. In the interests of time, I have to move forward. I take it your answer was yes.
After Mr. Togneri ordered officials to review the proposal, he complained to André Morin--and I quote--“The sector has had this for weeks. What's the hold-up?”
Mr. Morin is here today.
Later, another member of the minister's office staff, Sandy White, wrote--and I quote--“our department is being...hard headed about setting up a meeting”. Your office clearly fast-tracked this proposal to make sure that it was moved forward.
So I'm going to turn to Mr. Morin, who is a former strategic adviser to the Deputy Minister of Public Works. Regarding the same proposal, you wrote, on October 16, that the deputy minister “is concerned about this type of request and by the fact that it can contravene and disrupt our daily operational or program requirements”.
Was this request unusual? Just a simple yes or no.
Director, Valuation and Payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) Programs, Department of Public Works and Government Services
No.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Do ministers often ask you to fast-track proposals for their friends?
Director, Valuation and Payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) Programs, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Can you repeat your question?
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Do ministers often ask you to fast-track proposals? Because clearly you were asking for that to be fast-tracked.
Director, Valuation and Payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) Programs, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Nobody asked at the minister's office to fast-track anything.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Thank you.
To Mr. Baird, last year Kimberley Michelutti, who is the parliamentary assistant to Brian Jean, was given the authority to receive and review funding applications to the $1 billion green infrastructure fund. Would a member of the public know to submit applications to Madam Michelutti? Just a yes or no.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
So she shouldn't have received those applications?
Conservative
John Baird Conservative Ottawa West—Nepean, ON
Well, when someone mails something or sends an electronic e-mail, they're received--from any Canadian.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Any Canadian; do members of the public know where to submit these applications?
Conservative
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
So to anyone in the department, including the minister's or the parliamentary secretary's office, and you'll take care of it.
Conservative
John Baird Conservative Ottawa West—Nepean, ON
The only authority to make decisions with respect to grants and contributions in my department is me; that's it, no one else.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
A particular $290-million project submitted by Mr. Jaffer was marked “From Rahim, submit to department”, and signed with the letter “K”. I assume it's Kimberley Michelutti.
Clearly she--
Conservative
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
You can confirm. Thank you.
Clearly she wanted to let you know, or your department, that it was from a friend.
