Mr. Chair and committee, first of all, good afternoon. Let me start by commending this committee for taking up this matter.
When governments sell and buy official residences involving millions of dollars, parliamentary scrutiny is completely understandable. At a time when many Canadians and many Americans are facing housing challenges, they have a right to know why and how decisions are made to buy and sell official accommodations. Canadians have the right to know whether these transactions result in value for money and how and whether they advance Canadians' interests. Parliamentarians are the right people to pose those questions and to get those answers. I hope to be helpful in that endeavour today.
I have the honour of leading Canada's Consulate General in New York, a role I took up on February 27, 2023. This is one of Canada's most significant diplomatic posts. It is responsible for five states—New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware—as well as the island of Bermuda. This region has a combined GDP of more than $6 trillion and a two-way trade with Canada of more than $200 billion a year.
In New York City alone there are about 300,000 Canadian residents and thousands more who come here on vacation. The consulate provides all of them with essential government services, including emergency consular service when required.
The consulate is also in the heart of the American media capital, where Americans' opinions of Canada are often formed, created and amplified.
My work encompasses all of these aspects and many more. Essentially, the consul general is there to promote and defend Canadian interests, encourage trade and investment, and strengthen co‑operation on a whole range of bilateral issues at the municipal, state and federal levels.
To do this work, I am given certain tools to do the job. I am assigned a residence to both live in and use for work. That means using it for certain types of meetings, receptions and dinners. It is Canada's house in New York.
Since I arrived, I have held 38 events at the residence. Most recently, last week I had a reception for New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and his delegation on the eve of their trade and political mission to Canada, with visits to Ontario and Quebec. Other events, such as dinners, have centred around venture capital, private equity, political outreach, AI public policy and the arts.
As you have already heard in testimony from Global Affairs Canada officials, I had no role whatsoever in either deciding to sell the former residence or buying the new one. That was completely undertaken by the property bureau in Ottawa. I was not involved in the selection of the new property, its amenities or its location. As you have heard, this project will return millions of dollars to Canadian taxpayers, which I'm sure all of you think is a good thing.
I also want to let you know why I was unavailable on August 27, when you first invited me to speak with you. I was on leave with my children and my grandchildren. I am very pleased and thankful that the committee accommodated my appearance today.
Finally, I would like to tell you why I accepted this job as consul general in the first place. After a 45-year career in broadcasting and five years as a senior business executive, I was looking for an opportunity to give back, because I believe that anyone who has done well because of Canada, or in my case because of Canadians, should give something back to the country that gave them so much. This job allows me to do just that, using my experience and my personal networks in the service of Canada.
I am extremely proud of the work my team here in New York does for Canadians, advancing and protecting their interests every single day.
Mr. Chairman, I now look forward to answering any questions the members may have.
