Government Operations Committee on March 13th, 2024

[Kristian Firth]

I have met with Philippe Johnston outside of work, yes.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Where?

[Kristian Firth]

At a pub.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

When?

[Kristian Firth]

In 2021.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

We're going to circle back to that.

Have you ever met with Minh Doan in a private residence or anywhere other than a government office?

[Kristian Firth]

No, I have not.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

I'll ask the same question about Cameron MacDonald.

[Kristian Firth]

I have met him outside of work.

We heard the testimony three times.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

When and where, sir?

[Kristian Firth]

I'm happy to provide that information within 24 hours. I don't have that in front of me.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

I'll ask the same question for Antonio Utano.

[Kristian Firth]

Yes, I have.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

When and where?

[Kristian Firth]

Again, I will get you that information.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Kelly Belanger.

[Kristian Firth]

I have never met with Kelly Belanger outside of work.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Marc Brouillard.

[Kristian Firth]

Yes, I've met with Marc Brouillard outside of work.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

When and where?

[Kristian Firth]

I'll get you that information.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

This is interesting.

Again, you'll have to excuse my unwillingness to take it at face value that you're going to provide this information after, because I asked you these questions when you appeared before this committee before, and you said you hadn't met with government officials outside of government offices.

That, sir—and you can check with your lawyer or with a dictionary—is a lie. It's perjury.

At your first appearance before this committee, you testified that you did not know of and were not privy to any hospitality being given to anyone who worked for the Government of Canada. Is that true, or is that a lie?

[Kristian Firth]

I'm answering your question. I've actually been.... I've just given you the names of all the people, and I've agreed that I've actually taken these people...that we have been outside of work, which means—

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

The question, sir, is on hospitality. You said previously that you weren't privy to information on whether that had happened, and it seems like that's a lie.

[Kristian Firth]

No. I'm just telling you I'm privy now to information that happened, and I've just agreed that I have met those people outside of work.