Evidence of meeting #32 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 sauvé.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:30 a.m.
Senior Director, Real Property Contracting Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
There is no indication in our documents that that person was contacted or contacted us. I personally never contacted…
9:30 a.m.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Do you know who Bernard Côté is? He was an assistant to a minister. Did an assistant to a minister ask for a briefing on the restorations?
9:30 a.m.
Senior Director, Real Property Contracting Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Whoa! Are you talking about the general renovations on Parliament Hill?
9:30 a.m.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Yes, I am talking about the general renovations on Parliament Hill. I agree with you - “whoa” indeed!
9:30 a.m.
Senior Director, Real Property Contracting Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I should not have said “whoa”; that is a technical question. You have to understand all the renovations that have to be done. The minister was informed in a general way. As to Mr. Côté, I don't know; that is why I am asking…
9:30 a.m.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
You say that the minister was informed in a general way. How was he informed, Mr. Leclerc? Were you there at the time?
9:30 a.m.
Senior Director, Real Property Contracting Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
No, I was not…
9:30 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Parliamentary Precinct Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
If I may, I am going to ask my colleague Rob Wright to answer the question.
9:30 a.m.
Director General, Major Crown Projects, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Yes.
9:30 a.m.
Director General, Major Crown Projects, Department of Public Works and Government Services
In September 2007, I was assigned to planning. Then I looked after delivering the major projects.
First of all, I'd like to make it very clear that I've given several briefings to the minister's office on the LTVP. It's been a very important file within the department. At no time were there ever any questions about procurement processes at all, nor did I ever have any interaction with a Bernard Côté. The types of briefings that occurred on this file would be the same as for any file within the Government of Canada. We have quarterly report cards on the progress that go up to the minister's office as well as to the Treasury Board Secretariat. It's the exact same information.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Who was responsible for managing the contract? What is that person's name? Some people sign things, other people manage things. Who managed this specific West Block project?
9:35 a.m.
Director General, Major Crown Projects, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Yves Gosselin was in my position prior to my taking over, but again, as Mr. Ring, Mr. Leclerc, and Mr. Mongeau have pointed out, there is a separation of responsibilities between the technical authority and the contracting authority. There are checks and balances within the system so that there is no possibility of conflict of interest. Those are there for a particular reason, and that's the way the contracts are managed.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Thank you.
Could you tell me if François Guimont is still deputy minister?
9:35 a.m.
A voice
Yes.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Is a minister advised when a contract is withdrawn? Is the minister responsible advised of the fact?
9:35 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Parliamentary Precinct Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
When it is a major project or a significant project, as this one is, the minister is informed of the situation when officials make the decision to withdraw responsibility for a job from a general contractor and to go for the bond. The information…
9:35 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Parliamentary Precinct Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
He is informed through the normal hierarchy in our organization.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Mr. Mongeau, in the very specific case we are dealing today, I would like to know the name of the person who advised the minister that the contract had been withdrawn.
9:35 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Parliamentary Precinct Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
It was done by a briefing note to the minister dated April 17, 2009.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
April 17, 2009? The contract was withdrawn on April 20, 2009. Did anyone from the department communicate with you between April 17, 2009 and April 20, 2009?
9:35 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Parliamentary Precinct Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
