Government Operations Committee on Aug. 21st, 2024

[Stéphane Cousineau]

Once again, when it comes to the new location that we have purchased, it is more efficient and cost effective, as we said.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

That's not my question, sir. Do you have the condo rules?

[Stéphane Cousineau]

In terms of the condo and the condo rules, I would have to get back to you. I don't have that information with me right now.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Sir, the primary justification you've used is that you want to be hosting events in the new location. You think it's more appropriate for hosting them. There are rules associated with hosting events. You must surely know what those rules are in order to make the case that this is a more appropriate or preferential location in some way or that you can host events at all in the new location, and yet you don't know what those rules are. Is that correct?

[Stéphane Cousineau]

The condo we're actually purchasing has a more suitable and private setting for our high-level things, as was mentioned.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Sir, the condo rules—

[Stéphane Cousineau]

When it comes to rules, I will turn to my colleague Mr. Dubeau, who can speak to the details of those rules.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Does somebody—anybody—have the condo rules?

[Robin Dubeau]

Yes, somebody has the condo rules, but I don't have them with me. I know that there are two options for the head of mission there in that building. Basically, he can use his own unit to entertain for smaller, more personal events.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Sir, do you have the specific condo rules? Does somebody in the Government of Canada have those specific condo rules? You understand how important this is, right? The whole justification for this luxury condo is that we can host events. There are rules that govern the building in terms of what events can be hosted, so somebody in the Government of Canada should have those rules and should be able to provide those quickly to this committee.

Can you undertake to ensure that we are able to see those rules within, say, 48 hours?

[Robin Dubeau]

I know those rules exist, and I know somebody has them. I can undertake to go back and find them. I would rather have a longer period of time to deliver, if the chair agrees with me.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

We need to have them prior to next week's meeting with Mr. Clark. Will you get them to us by Monday at noon?

[Robin Dubeau]

Yes. I can go back and inquire and see if I can get them to the committee by Monday.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

That's by Monday at noon. They'll need to be translated as well.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Did you mention the translation?

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Yes. I assume this isn't part of my time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Would you, perhaps, advise the clerk at the end of the day or tomorrow morning about an update on when you'll be able to provide those rules to us? We'll get back to the committee then.

[Robin Dubeau]

Thank you for the flexibility, Mr. Chair, because the document must be in only one official language.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Oh, I know, but just get back to the clerk today or tomorrow morning about how long or when you'll be able to deliver that to us so we can get it translated.

You have a short bit of time left, Mr. Genuis.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I have a follow-up question on that. Can those existing rules be changed by a simple majority of people in the building? How can those rules be changed? What are the chances that the hosting rules would change once we moved in?

[Robin Dubeau]

There's always an annual meeting with the condo building owner, and the rules can certainly be amended.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

You don't know the rules, and the rules, even if they are more favourable, could be changed by a vote of those in the building. The whole justification for this luxury condo is hosting events. You can't tell me the rules for hosting events, and those rules are subject to change by a vote of those in the building.

Allegedly many of our potential investments depend on the ability to hold events in the private home of a consulate general. Do you see the obvious absurdity of this, sir, how your lack of knowledge of those rules doesn't square with the claims that have been made today?

[Stéphane Cousineau]

Mr. Chair, I'd like to reiterate that I think Mr. Dubeau has clearly explained that we know those rules. They're part of what the team is looking at. We will be pleased to get back to you in terms of when we could provide those rules.

I think the question was about whether those rules could be changed. Yes, they could be changed. That's typical in a condo. They will have their annual meeting.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

You don't have the rules to present to us today, so we'll look forward to looking at them in the future, I suppose.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thanks, Mr. Genuis.

We're going back to the west coast.

Mr. Bains, go ahead, please.