Government Operations Committee on Nov. 16th, 2010

[Michael Fortier]

Ms. Bourgeois, I know you know the answer, but I'm going to give it to you anyway. You know very well that, given the number of contracts awarded every year by the Department of Public Works and Government Services, the minister is not informed of each one. In fact, he is informed of virtually no awards.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

Who in your office was responsible for following up that type of contract?

[Michael Fortier]

What type of contract are you talking about?

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

I'm talking about renovation contracts. We know that there were those sale-leasebacks that we talk so much about.

[Michael Fortier]

Yes, you and I have often talked about that.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

That's one component.

[Michael Fortier]

I see you've got your smile back because you weren't smiling at the time.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

You weren't smiling either, sir.

[Michael Fortier]

Yes, I was smiling.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

It has to be said that, at the time, your office had to show that it was really beneficial for Canadian citizens.

[Michael Fortier]

Did we convince you after two years?

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

I wasn't at all convinced

[Michael Fortier]

I see.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

We know that the next witness, Mr. Broccolini, profits from sale-leasebacks, that is to say he profits from federal government leases.

[Michael Fortier]

He doesn't buy the buildings, as you very well know.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

However, in Mr. Sauvé's case, someone in your office was definitely responsible for that type of contract, or in any case for telling you about it, for giving you information—

[Michael Fortier]

No, not at all.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

—on the renovation of government buildings.

[Michael Fortier]

With regard to the renovation, employees in the minister's office provided liaison with the department.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

All right.

[Michael Fortier]

They were informed by the department, but not for a contract of that size, unless there was an important aspect. That may be the case when it's thought that someone will challenge it because there may have been contract irregularities, as I said earlier. Otherwise, we weren't informed.

No one in my office had a business card reading, "Vice-President, Parliament Hill Renovation Contracts". No such position exists.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

Mr. Marshall, who was deputy minister of Public Works and Government Services at the time, recently told the Public Service Labour Relations Board that you had previously intervened in the awarding of contracts. We know about the sale-leaseback issue and how RBC became a party to the contracts when the committee had selected BMO at the time. You remember that. Mr. Marshall said that the minister had intervened because he wanted RBC to be involved as well. That's what's stated in the board documents.

Now that we know a minister can intervene to favour or bring in other players or other parties to the contract, do you think the current minister might have intervened to have LM Sauvé's contract amended and to enable that contractor to win the West Block renovation contract?

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Mr. Fortier, unfortunately Madame Bourgeois has run through the clock.

[Michael Fortier]

Can I answer? It's pretty important.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Give a very brief answer, and then we'll go to Monsieur Gourde.