Evidence of meeting #134 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 property.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Assistant Comptroller General, Acquired Services and Assets Sector, Office of the Comptroller General, Treasury Board Secretariat
It's a limit for each purchase.
Assistant Comptroller General, Acquired Services and Assets Sector, Office of the Comptroller General, Treasury Board Secretariat
I have that information for GAC. I'll give it to you in English.
They have purchases, limits...it's all available online. After this, I'm happy to also send to the clerk the link to all of the transactions, and they'll be there for GAC and everybody, if that's more helpful than my saying it out loud.
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Yes, you can send it to me, that's no problem.
Government of Canada departments like PSPC usually have a procurement policy based on the lowest bidder rule. The apartment that was purchased on West 57th Street was among the five least expensive apartments visited.
Why wasn't the least expensive one chosen, like it would be according to the lowest bidder rule?
Assistant Comptroller General, Acquired Services and Assets Sector, Office of the Comptroller General, Treasury Board Secretariat
There's a concept called “value for money”. When making investments, we try to strike a balance between program objectives and costs. Things that support government priorities are also taken into consideration.
For example, an apartment that's more expensive but is accessible and supports the greening government objectives may be the best value, so the lowest cost is not always the best value.
Conservative
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Just as a question to you, Mr. Chair, are we doing two six-minute rounds here?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
The opening round is six minutes, and then it's five and five, two and a half and two and a half, and five and five.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Okay. I'm just confused because in Ms. Vignola's round, she just had two six-minute slots, I believe, so I'm just speaking to you in terms of...
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
No, her actual questioning time was about two and a half or three minutes. We're letting everything run a tiny bit. Yours ran a bit late as well. It was probably six minutes because of the suspension.
I'll restart your time. Go ahead.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
I'm not concerned about it, I just had a number of questions...
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My first question in this round is for Mr. Quinlan. I know in the wake of the ArriveCAN scandal, PSPC has committed to a number of procurement reforms. Will those reforms affect the real property procurement process, and if so, how?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property Services, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I thank the member for his question.
I'm the senior assistant deputy minister for real property services at PSPC, and we often collaborate with our procurement services colleagues. You have my commitment that, after the meeting, I'll give you a more detailed answer about how certain real property procurement process improvements are applied.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Just to be clear, Mr. Quinlan, is that a yes? Those reforms will affect real property procurement; however, a more detailed response would be required. Is that correct?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property Services, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Again, Mr. Chair, allusion has been made to certain procurement-related improvements. As the senior assistant deputy minister responsible for real property, I can commit to provide the committee with a list of improvements that might potentially have an impact on the real property procurement process.
However, I want to assure the member that real property services programming has not been affected by the changes under discussion.
That said, real property services does follow procurement processes as well. If any procurement policy changes seem likely to affect real property services, I will be happy, Mr. Chair, to submit that information to the committee in writing.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
I think that would be of interest to the committee, Mr. Quinlan, so if you don't mind providing that response, that would be much appreciated.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
All right. Thanks.
We've passed a motion that all responses are required within 21 days, if you could do that.
Next up we have Mr. Brock.
Go ahead, please.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Before I get into my substantive questions, I'm curious about something.
In relation to another Justin Trudeau scandal, arrive scam, it was revealed that prior to a first committee appearance, the president of the CBSA—the deputy minister—was summoned to the Prime Minister's Office, presumably for coaching.
Have any of you, including Mr. Quinlan on screen, received coaching prior to your appearances today?
Mr. Quinlan, go ahead, please.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property Services, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Mr. Chair, to answer the question directly, the answer is no.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Thank you.
No one was required to attend the Prime Minister's Office. Is that a no, Mr. Quinlan?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property Services, Department of Public Works and Government Services
The answer is no, Mr. Chair.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Did anyone get direction from the minister, who, in your case, is Minister Duclos?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property Services, Department of Public Works and Government Services
There was no direction, Mr. Chair.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Thank you.
I know a lot has been written in our national media with respect to the extravagant nature of this acquisition. There was a quote from Global Affairs that I appreciate is not attributable to anyone here, but I wish to read it into the record:
The residence currently used for the Head of Mission and Consul General in New York—
—this is the Park Avenue property—
—was purchased in 1961. Last refurbished in 1982, the apartment does not meet new building codes nor the [Global Affairs] standards.
The purchase at West 57th is listed as follows: There is “[a]n elegant entry foyer [with] white macauba stone floors”.
Is that a requirement for the consul general of Canada?
Assistant Comptroller General, Acquired Services and Assets Sector, Office of the Comptroller General, Treasury Board Secretariat
Perhaps in answering the question, and I've alluded to this before, you only hold real property to support—
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Madam, that's not my question.
Is it a requirement of Mr. Clark's position as consul general in New York that he has white macauba stone floors? I'm just curious: Is that a requirement?