Evidence of meeting #38 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 varin.
A recording is available from Parliament.
President, LM Sauvé
“Lowest bidder” is the criterion upon which Public Works bases its final procurement analysis.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
So you were the lowest bidder. You were also qualified to do the job. You received the work to do the job. Now I understand you're disappointed that the job was taken away from you. In the lead-up to your submission to this committee, you talked about Public Works leaking documents about your bid to your competitors. Could you give us, first, some evidence of that, and second, some evidence of how that would have had any impact on your success in receiving this contract, seeing as you were still the lowest bidder? Nobody undercut you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
Mr. Warkentin, we're not playing “junior lawyer” here. Let him answer the questions.
November 23rd, 2010 / 10:15 a.m.
Conservative
Conservative
President, LM Sauvé
Sir, if you let me answer, I will answer.
I have evidence. When I found out, we were hounded by Bobby Watt from RJW Stonemasons, who had done all the work from the onset of this tender, after we got the contract, to do the work amongst our own forces.
President, LM Sauvé
During one of those meetings, Robert Watt brought our bid sheet with him, which is absolutely confidential information that cannot be leaked to anyone. When we asked him where he got that information, he said that he has a boat on the Outaouais River next to Richard Moore, the project manager from MHPN, who has his offices in the Crowne. His office is on Sparks Street.
I was outraged, to the point of calling the mediator, Howie Clavier. I asked him, “What is this”? Then I called Public Works, where I spoke with Mr. Ezio Dimillo and Robert Wright and confronted them with this information. They denied it. Soon thereafter, Robert Wright left the project and another gentleman took his place.
So there's the proof.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
That isn't proof. It's a whole lot of presuppositions and a lot of people denying what you claim. You came in with the lowest bid. Nobody undercut you. I don't understand how your claim that there was a leaking of documents affected the bidding process.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
Thank you, Mr. Warkentin.
Unfortunately, you don't have time to respond to Mr. Warkentin.
Mr. Coderre, five minutes.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
I understand why my colleague, Mr. Warkentin, is embarrassed. He has a problem, because he is on a fishing expedition but isn't catching any more fish.
First we had Vautrin's pants, and now we have Paradis' coat. That will make for an interesting item on the evening news.
I have a few questions. Mr. Sauvé, I would like to proceed the same way they do on Les Francs-tireurs: I will ask all my questions at once.
As far as you are concerned, was the $140,000 a kickback?
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
You paid someone in order to secure a contract, but it's not a kickback.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
At the same time, you knew that this money would be paid to different people.
President, LM Sauvé
I assumed that the money might be distributed, because he himself told me so.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Did Mr. Côté tell you he had discussed this issue with his Minister?
President, LM Sauvé
Mr. Côté mentioned there were major disagreements and that there was a mountain separating us from a real free trade agreement between Quebec and Ontario, because of current legislative measures affecting the construction industry. He said he would try to address the issue, but I can't say that he didn't mention his Minister's name.