Government Operations Committee on Nov. 30th, 2010

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

I was also a political minister, and before I attended cocktail party fundraisers, I checked to see who was going to be there.

When you attended this particular cocktail party fundraiser, were you told who would be there?

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

Mr. Coderre, we are here to talk about alleged political interference in the awarding of contracts for the West Block. I understood that was the purpose of the motion.

However, if you want to question my political judgment as lieutenant, because you were once one, that is a whole other debate. In the case which is before us today, while I was in the process of carrying out that restructuring, in May, I was approached by the Bourassa riding association with respect to fundraising. I had no reason not to trust the then president, Mr. Gilles Prud'Homme. So, I accepted the invitation in good faith to attend a cocktail party fundraiser where I expected to meet Conservative supporters.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

That is very much part of the motion. The fact is that if you meet people at a cocktail party fundraiser, these same people are eventually awarded contracts and you spend 40 minutes talking to them, according to Mr. Sauvé—

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

That, too, is untrue.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

If you say so.

It seems Mr. Gilles Prud'homme is in hiding these days, but I hope he is going to be subpoenaed.

Personally, before attending a benefit event where I know certain people could be in attendance, I would first find out if they might be there and why.

But you didn't do that?

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

Well, that's great if you did that; it's very much to your credit. I am just saying that a riding president asked me to attend a cocktail party fundraiser which I attended in good faith, expecting to meet Conservative supporters.

So, now—

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

You didn't know who was going to be there?

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

Now, if someone talks to me about contracts or things like that, well, I don't talk about contracts, and I abided by that rule at this particular event. So, at no time did I discuss contracts with him at that event.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Did your aide, Marc Carrière, report back on what happened during that cocktail party?

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

First of all, Marc Carrière is not my aide. My chief of staff is Marc Vallières. I find it a little strange, since you know him personally, that you would make the same slip as Mr. Sauvé. Mr. Vallières did not attend that event.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Which aide did attend?

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

Philippe Mailhot, my regional director at the Montreal office.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Did he make any contacts and did he report back to you on what people had discussed with him at this cocktail party?

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

Mr. Mailhot was by my side for the duration of the cocktail party, the whole idea being to keep a certain distance between me and people who insisted on talking about contracts.

Personally, I referred them to officials and, if necessary, Mr. Mailhot would give them business cards or follow-up, if necessary, and direct them to the right people, who are departmental officials.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

So, for the duration of the cocktail party, Mr. Mailhot was by your side.

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

Practically, yes.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

He didn't speak to anyone else.

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

That wasn't why we were there.

When I attend a cocktail party fundraiser, for me it's a lobby-free zone. That's why I always have a member of my political staff accompany me. That way I can ensure that everything is done properly and that the information is passed on correctly.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Did Mr. Sauvé speak to Mr. Mailhot about his contract?

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

Mr. Sauvé did not discuss the contract per se with me, but he did mention that he had been awarded a contract for the West Block and I congratulated him. In fact, that is the reason why I always have said that I don't discuss contracts. Just because someone mentions that he was awarded a contract and I congratulate him doesn't mean that the discussion then turns to contracts. I think it's important to call a spade a spade.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

You've changed your story three times.

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

I haven't changed my story, Mr. Coderre.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

You said you hadn't talked—

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

There have to be two people to discuss a contract on any given subject. But the fact is that I never discussed the details of any contract.

The question is whether there was political interference or not. Now if such a discussion did take place, as you maintain, the second question is whether or not there was political interference. The answer is no, just as departmental officials told you right from the beginning.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Mailhot never told you that Mr. Sauvé had reported to him—