Evidence of meeting #36 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 know.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:30 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First, I simply want to tell Mr. Conacher that I found his ideas for amending those loopholes in the act very interesting, particularly his ideas on protection for whistle-blowers, who incidentally have no protection.
Mr. Broccolini, I would like to get a clear understanding of one thing. You went to a fundraiser attended by Mr. Paradis. Did the idea that it was important to be there to discuss the problems that you had experienced with regard to the contract come from you, or did someone tell you to go so that you would have the opportunity to discuss it with Mr. Paradis, who would be there?
10:30 a.m.
Vice-President, Montreal, Broccolini Construction Inc.
Mr. Padulo invited me to the fundraiser, but I don't know why. I didn't ask him why; he simply did it. I decided to go in order to talk to Mr. Paradis.
10:30 a.m.
Bloc
10:30 a.m.
Vice-President, Montreal, Broccolini Construction Inc.
For 25 years. We go to his restaurant perhaps twice a year.
10:30 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Did you know a lot of the people at the fundraiser? Were all those people in the construction industry?
10:35 a.m.
Vice-President, Montreal, Broccolini Construction Inc.
I knew no one else.
10:35 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Did you pay $500 out of your pocket, or did someone pay for you?
10:35 a.m.
Vice-President, Montreal, Broccolini Construction Inc.
I paid out of my own pocket.
10:35 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Have you previously done business with a lobbyist or any other person who might have exercised pressure in your favour on Public Works and Government Services Canada? Have you previously hired or contacted a lobbyist?
10:35 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Do you at times personally meet officials from Public Works and Government Services Canada to discuss needs that the government might have in the property rental field, for example?
10:35 a.m.
Vice-President, Montreal, Broccolini Construction Inc.
For those two contracts, we simply met with Denis Charette to discuss the leases; that's all.
10:35 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
How does that work? You build buildings and you have a guarantee that the government will lease them from you for 25 years?
10:35 a.m.
Vice-President, Montreal, Broccolini Construction Inc.
It will sign a lease for a 25-year period.
10:35 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Is the lease signed as soon as you win the contract? Is there a risk the government may change its mind after the building is finished? Is that done immediately?
10:35 a.m.
Vice-President, Montreal, Broccolini Construction Inc.
No, a lease is a contract. We bid. The risk that we run is with the construction.
10:35 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Ultimately, the lease and the construction of the building represent two contracts.
10:35 a.m.
Vice-President, Montreal, Broccolini Construction Inc.
No, there's a single contract: it's a lease.
10:35 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Could you file with this committee the total value of the contracts that you signed with the government from 2000 to 2005 and the value of the contracts you have received from the government since 2005? Could you file that with the committee?
10:35 a.m.
Vice-President, Montreal, Broccolini Construction Inc.
I can tell you the answer right now: it's zero.
10:35 a.m.
Bloc
10:35 a.m.
Vice-President, Montreal, Broccolini Construction Inc.
We have had contracts since 2010, but not before that.
