Thank you, Chair.
I apologize that I arrived at literally the tail end of this particular important meeting, but I am familiar with the evidence from Ms. Nicholson. I thank her for her attendance.
I just want to reiterate the extreme importance regarding the content of the motion from my colleague Mrs. Kusie. This saga seems to create different layers of complexity, with finger-pointing, denials, mistruths and exaggerations of the truth. It's hard for this committee to determine who is telling the truth.
I understand, from the evidence that we've heard today from Ms. Nicholson, that she wants to assign herself full responsibility for attributing input directly from Mr. Clark in the acquisition of this $9-million condominium on Billionaires' Row. I find that really hard to believe, given the explicit language used. This wasn't a typo scenario. It was very specific that Mr. Clark did have his hands all over the acquisition of this particular unit. The evidence we have heard so far in this particular committee seems to lend credence to his involvement.
I remark and recall just how ridiculous Mr. Clark's statement was, to the effect that when he was invited for the first time to tour this condominium with a real estate agent.... He had the audacity to challenge me and suggest to this committee that he walked in with the real estate agent, who listed it and sold it to the Government of Canada, and not a word was spoken. The two of them walked around aimlessly—not pointing out features, not communicating with each other, but simply observing. It is absolutely ridiculous in the extreme for someone to tour a property and not be guided by an agent. It only lends credence to the fact that Mr. Clark had previous knowledge about this unit and had input with respect to the acquisition of this unit.
We need to hear from further individuals to shed truth on what really transpired.
I understand that the minister is about to appear to answer these questions. I read recently in the press that her office is denying that they were even made aware that this condominium was located on Billionaires' Row. Again, I find that extremely hard to believe. The minister has a penchant for basically denying anything that seems to be controversial in her portfolio, which begs the question of who really is telling the truth.
For all those reasons, Mr. Chair, having more witnesses come to this committee to shed more light on the process and the acquisition of this most extravagant condominium on Billionaires' Row.... This is something that Canadians want a clear answer on at a time when we have millions of Canadians lining up at food banks, when we have millions of Canadians unable to make a down payment to purchase a home, when we have millions of Canadians defaulting on mortgages and when we have all kinds of people never even thinking about acquiring the Canadian dream of home ownership. We have Justin Trudeau awarding a buddy of his from the media, Tom Clark, a $9-million condominium at a time when we have a number of major crises in this country. Canadians are fed up. They want this committee to get to the truth. That's exactly what we plan on doing.
I'll be supporting my colleague's motion.
Thank you.