Evidence of meeting #43 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 summit.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Bernard Côté  As an Individual

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS

Was the minister's office involved in final approval of the contract for the restoration of the north tower of the West Block?

10:35 a.m.

As an Individual

Bernard Côté

I don't know.

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS

You don't know.

Was it typical that the minister's office would sign off on those kinds of major contracts?

10:35 a.m.

As an Individual

Bernard Côté

I don't know what the rules are for the attribution of contracts.

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS

You mentioned that you discussed your testimony before this meeting with Mr. Gagnon and Mr. Pichet. Was there anyone else?

10:35 a.m.

As an Individual

Bernard Côté

I just answered the question to Mr. Coderre.

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS

I'm sorry, I missed that.

There's no one else you discussed that contract with?

10:35 a.m.

As an Individual

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS

Okay, thank you.

Mr. Coderre.

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC

I'm going to go back to the fund-raising events. Did you organize a benefit event at Magnan Restaurant et Taverne with Minister Paradis and some senators?

10:35 a.m.

As an Individual

Bernard Côté

As I told you, I'm a financial officer for the constituency of Jeanne-Le Ber. We had a benefit event that year, on October 14, 2010. Last year, we had one in September, on September 16 or 24, 2009.

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC

What I find extraordinary, Mr. Côté, is that you remember the dates of your Conservative parties, but when I talk to you about a lunch with Paul Sauvé, "there's no service at the number you have reached."

10:35 a.m.

As an Individual

Bernard Côté

You're a Liberal member from the Montreal area?

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC

Yes.

10:35 a.m.

As an Individual

Bernard Côté

We don't have Conservative parties every day. So we remember the dates a little more clearly. Especially when I'm the one who signs the receipts for income tax purposes, I find it quite easy to remember the dates.

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC

That's because you signed a number of them.

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Thank you, Mr. Coderre. Thank you, Mr. Côté.

I'm hoping to leave five minutes for committee business at the end.

The Conservative Party has about two minutes for a question.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB

Well, Mr. Côté, it seems that the opposition are running out of questions. It's clear when they start asking about dates of the relevant points that it's the end of their questioning.

It's interesting. I don't recall the last time I sat down with my Mom for dinner. I can assure you it's not that long ago, but I couldn't tell you what I ate.

I do recall the date of my wedding. It was six years ago, December 28. The reason I recall it is because there are certain dates--

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Mr. Warkentin, excuse me. Mr. Regan appears to have a point of order, possibly relevant to the date of your wedding.

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS

No, that's not it. If Mr. Warkentin is out of questions, we've got lots more.

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Thanks for that information, Mr. Regan.

Mr. Warkentin.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB

I'm suggesting that oftentimes we have dates that are more relevant to us than others and the planning of certain events are not necessarily as important.

I think it's important that we point out as well that what we heard from the Liberals this morning is that they've flipped on their friend, Mr. Sauvé. In the past they've courted him as a possible Liberal candidate, but what we heard today is that they're now calling him attached to Hells Angels.

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Mr. Coderre apparently has a point of order.

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC

Mr. Sauvé isn't a friend and didn't collect $15,000 for us. He didn't collect any money for us; he collected $15,000 for the Conservatives. He must be your friend as well.

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

That's not a point of order. Thank you.