Evidence of meeting #105 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cbsa.
A video is available from Parliament.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Would these be the size that you'd get at a hotel or on an airplane?
11:15 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Canada, COVID and Pandemic Response Secretariat, As an Individual
They're smaller.
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Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Okay, and how many bottles were there?
11:15 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Canada, COVID and Pandemic Response Secretariat, As an Individual
There were four or five.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Like the bag, these were disclosed.
What was the name of the professional standards office that you referenced, Mr. Utano?
11:15 a.m.
Director General, Information Technology Branch, Canada Revenue Agency, As an Individual
That was the values and ethics office of the CBSA.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Did you disclose to the values and ethics office your participation in the consumption of these products provided to you by a vendor who had been paid $20 million for work on this project?
11:15 a.m.
Director General, Information Technology Branch, Canada Revenue Agency, As an Individual
The disclosure happened to our VP on multiple occasions, as per the policy.
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Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Why did the bag get disclosed but not the free drinks?
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Director General, Information Technology Branch, Canada Revenue Agency, As an Individual
The bags were asked about in advance, and we were asked if it was acceptable. We took the steps and procedures ahead of time because we were aware of it ahead of time.
The allegations and the development of this report insinuate that we didn't follow procedures. We did, sir.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Did you eat meals or snacks or consume beverages at any time that were paid for by these vendors, and if so, which vendors?
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Director General, Information Technology Branch, Canada Revenue Agency, As an Individual
Are you asking me?
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Conservative
11:15 a.m.
Director General, Information Technology Branch, Canada Revenue Agency, As an Individual
We did consume a shared platter. I had a few nachos, a couple of chicken wings and half of a beer.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Do you know the date?
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Director General, Information Technology Branch, Canada Revenue Agency, As an Individual
I don't have the exact date in my mind.
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Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Could you undertake to provide the date to the committee?
11:15 a.m.
Director General, Information Technology Branch, Canada Revenue Agency, As an Individual
It would have been after we were allowed to—
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Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Sir, I'll let you check your records, nail that down and provide it to the committee, along with the names of anyone else who was in attendance.
Mr. MacDonald, it's the same question to you, please.
11:15 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Canada, COVID and Pandemic Response Secretariat, As an Individual
I think I had three zucchini sticks and half of a beer—
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Was that at the same event?
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Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Canada, COVID and Pandemic Response Secretariat, As an Individual
It was at the same event.
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Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Is that the only time you shared a meal that was paid for by these vendors?
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Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Canada, COVID and Pandemic Response Secretariat, As an Individual
It was paid for by vendors.
I just want to make sure the committee is aware that, number one, in the preliminary statement of falsehoods, there are allegations that there were dinners. Those dinners were not necessarily vendor-oriented dinners or paid for by the vendors. That's why I'm answering the question honestly. I paid for my own meals.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
I haven't asked a question about that, but you did attend dinners with them. That's what you're saying.