Government Operations Committee on Nov. 30th, 2010

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Mailhot was by my side for almost the entire evening, and there was no discussion about a contract. That was not why we were there.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Did you discuss contracts with Mr. Broccolini? How long did your discussion with Mr. Broccolini last?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I talked to Mr. Broccolini for about 10 minutes.

Once again, I am stunned to hear that Mr. Sauvé claims that I was in attendance for only about 40 minutes, when I actually stayed for about an hour and three quarters. So, it makes no sense that I would have spent 40 minutes talking with one person in particular, and I am convinced that it only lasted about 10 minutes.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

You didn't have your coat stolen here?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

My coat was stolen at that event.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Not today?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

No, I left it in my car.

Thank you for showing concern for my personal welfare. And you actually seem to be sincere.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

I am, on occasion.

Which member of your office staff asked for a refund?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Philippe Mailhot.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

How many times?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I couldn't say. First of all—

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Excuse me, Minister.

Mr. Holder.

[Ed Holder, Conservative, London West, ON]

Chair, with great respect for my colleague Mr. Coderre, when we start to talk about coats here and there, I just have to ask the question of relevance.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

There's probably none whatsoever.

Mr. Coderre, you have 40 seconds.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

One person says that he was called to ask that a refund be provided for a coat worth $5,400. The minister says that the coat only cost $800. I think it's important to know who is telling the truth, because there is a difference of $4,600.

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

That's ridiculous. At my request, Mr. Mailhot went in to report this to police, since I was unable to go myself. I waited a few days before realizing that it had in fact been stolen. We looked for it. I also looked for the coat. The declared value was $900, which was the value of the coat plus indirect damages.

It is completely ridiculous to make these kinds of allegations.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Thank you, Mr. Coderre.

Ms. Bourgeois, you have eight minutes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Minister, good morning. Thank you for being here this morning.

I want to be sure I understand the answers you gave my colleague. Did you know Mr. Prud'homme before the infamous cocktail party?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I had run into Mr. Prud'homme once or twice. I became the political minister following the election in October, 2008.

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

Please just give me a yes or no answer.

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Yes, I'm telling you that is when I made his acquaintance. I met him at a meeting and probably ran into him at an event in December, just before.

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

Did you know that he was an organizer or president of the Bourassa riding association? Did you know that the Bourassa riding association had financial problems?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

The whole idea was to help out the riding through this fundraising activity. That's was I was told. I dealt with Mr. Prud'homme through my office for these events, given the circumstances I just explained to Mr. Coderre.

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

Did you know Mr. Padulo?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I met him at a political event in December of 2009 regarding demonstrations for or against the coalition. That is where I saw Mr. Padulo—at a grassroots event in December of 2008.