Evidence of meeting #152 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.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Is it normal or common for a new head of mission to express their views regarding the accommodations that they're in, by any appointment, any other head of mission? Do they comment on the accommodations, as tenants?
Acting Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property and Infrastructure Solutions, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I would say it's normal for a head of mission to comment on their accommodation to their staff.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
What measures are taken, then, to ensure that there's no undue influence in the decisions?
Acting Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property and Infrastructure Solutions, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Ultimately, a head of mission expressing concern or views about the official residence to his staff doesn't necessarily influence the process that we've been describing, so there's no direct connection, and there's no influence.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
There's no direct connection between the head of mission and the decisions with regard to a real estate transaction, which is—
November 7th, 2024 / 12:55 p.m.
Acting Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property and Infrastructure Solutions, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
That's correct.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
—always the case.
Did the Prime Minister of Canada have an influence or a decision in regard to this purchase?
Acting Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property and Infrastructure Solutions, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
No, he did not.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Thank you.
Mr. Chair, if I can also conclude by requesting that you adhere to the majority will of the members of this committee not to have a meeting next week, during constituency week, for the benefit of Remembrance Day and of the veterans we are acknowledging and honouring, please.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Thanks for your time.
Gentlemen, thank you. I appreciate your patience.
Everyone around the table, I'm not sure if we got everything answered. I do apologize that we had to take away two full rounds from everyone.
Perhaps we'll have you to come back and finish that time for the committee.
We're adjourned.