Government Operations Committee on Nov. 5th, 2024

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

I want to answer your question, Mr. Brock. It’s good that you’re putting your earpiece on.

My chief of staff was informed once the decision was made. That is what was said here, and that is the information I have is well. Those are the facts.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

On June 25, the day after this committee passed a motion ordering all documents from your department related to the purchase of the condo, the same Emily Nicholson, who says she simply inputs information provided to her, all of a sudden issued a major correction saying it was a mistake that Clark was instrumental and gave the green light.

Minister, do you find that suspicious in any way?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

No, absolutely not. As I said to our colleague Rachel Blaney a little earlier, information is always provided to ambassadors and consuls, but they have no decision-making authority.

In this case, Tom Clark had none.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

I find it highly suspicious, as do the millions of Canadians who are watching this on the live feed.

Now it's been confirmed that your staff, the ministry officials who've appeared here, and even Tom Clark himself, who is the buddy and the good friend of Justin Trudeau, were instrumental in starting the process of relocating Tom Clark to the Billionaires' Row condominium in Manhattan. It was simply unsuitable for him. It was important for him to have the full suite of Gaggenau appliances. It was important for him to have the $5,000 coffee machine. It was important for him to have the golf simulator, and your office provided that for him.

Isn't that correct?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

No, that is false, Mr. Brock.

Do you know what Canadians are watching today? You say that millions of people are currently watching us. I think that’s giving us a little too much importance. I think that, right now, millions of Canadians are watching what is happening in the United States and waiting for the election result.

Canadians expect to be well represented abroad and for us to invest in our relationship with the United States.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Here's the problem, Minister. The memo created by Emily Nicholson was sent to your office and to your chief of staff. Your office got involved, and the story around Tom Clark mysteriously and suddenly changed.

Minister, did you personally become involved in the process of covering up for Justin Trudeau's close friend Tom Clark, yes or no?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

No, absolutely not.

I’d like to know one thing: Every time you say the Prime Minister’s name, Justin Trudeau, does Pierre Poilievre give you points?

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Thank you. You answered the question.

Did your chief of staff assist Justin Trudeau in covering up for Tom Clark, yes or no?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

I already answered that question.

Every time you say Justin Trudeau’s name, I will say Pierre Poilievre’s name, because one thing is clear: Canadians—

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Thank you, Minister. You answered the question.

I'll ask again: Were you ever briefed on the condo purchase from June 17 when your top official, your chief of staff, became aware a government document identified Clark as being instrumental and gave the green light?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Did Pierre Poilievre ask you to read the same question three times, thinking I would answer differently three times?

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Thank you.

If that's your story, what else is your chief of staff keeping from you, and, by extension, what are you, Minister, keeping from Canadians?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Canadians expect us to invest in our relationships, to get value for their money and to respect all the processes.

Canadians therefore basically agree with this approach.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Thank you, Minister.

I'm ceding my 30 seconds to my colleague Mr. Barrett.

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

Minister, Tom Clark is paying $1,800 per month in rent. That's less than the national average for Canadians. Do you think it's fair that this is what he has to pay in rent for a $9-million luxury condo when your government is responsible for doubling rent, doubling mortgage costs and requiring Canadians to have to save for 25 years just for a down payment?

That's your government's legacy, and you're giving this guy a $9-million condo for $1,800 a month. Do you think it's fair? Answer yes or no.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

How much is Pierre Poilievre paying to stay in his government-funded house right now?

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

Minister, I have great news for you. You're going to have lots of time to ask us questions when you're on the opposition side of the House. Today, though, you're supposed to be a minister who is responsible for your department, and you're demonstrating a failure at that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

That is our time.

We will go to Mrs. Atwin. Perhaps she can continue the line of questioning.

Go ahead, Mrs. Atwin, please, for five minutes.

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

[Inaudible—Editor]

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

[Inaudible—Editor]

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Both sides, Mr. Kusmierczyk and Mr. Barrett, it's Mrs. Atwin's time. That's to both of you.

Ms. Blaney.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

I just want to remind people that the interpreters have a hard time hearing when people are speaking like that, so we should not only listen to the chair, as we all should, but also respect the people who work for us.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thank you, Ms. Blaney.

Mrs. Atwin has the floor.

Go ahead for five minutes, Mrs. Atwin.

[Jenica Atwin, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Thank you very much, Minister, for being with us.

Thanks to your officials for joining us again today.

I'll open by sending a message to my friends and family in the United States. It is a particularly important day. We've all been anxiously awaiting today, even though I know we may not have results as early as we'd like, but I wish everyone well. I hope everyone got out and voted, and exercised that critical right that we have to participate in democracy.

I'd also like to add to the context of what we're dealing with globally, with the challenges and difficulties right now and all of the different issues that have come your way as minister. I very much appreciate that you're spending this time with us today and speaking about the purchase of a property.

Minister, my Conservative colleagues have suggested that your office played a role in this transaction. As we've heard at this committee from Global Affairs Canada officials on multiple occasions, this transaction followed all guidelines and, in fact, was cost-saving for Canadians. Can you reconfirm that fact?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Thank you, Jenica.

I'm reconfirming again.