Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning, members of the committee.
I'm pleased to be here in support of the committee's important work to ensure the full accountability and transparency of government operations, including those of Global Affairs Canada.
Today, I will speak to my role as consul general to New York and clarify any remaining questions you may have.
As consul general, I am mandated to advocate for Canada's interests in the five-state territory of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Connecticut. This region has a combined GDP of more than $6 trillion, and it has two-way trade with Canada of more than $200 billion a year. The consulate is one of Canada's most important missions in the United States and in Canada's global network abroad.
An official residence is one component of the diplomatic tool kit used by countries around the world. For the New York consulate, events hosted at the official residence foster partnerships between American business and political leadership and Canadian federal, provincial and business leaders. With the world focused on the changing administration in the United States, these relationships—and the economic opportunities they generate—are more important than ever.
Upon my arrival at the consulate in February 2023, I began hosting events in the official residence to build these networks and create opportunities to advance the political and economic interests of Canadians.
As we’ve learned, Canada’s official residence in New York was purchased in 1961 and last renovated in 1982, more than forty years ago. While hosting events at the official residence to advance Canada’s interests, I observed that the property could not appropriately accommodate guests with mobility issues and posed challenges between the family and representational space. I was informed that these concerns were in line with deficiencies reported to Global Affairs Canada headquarters since 2014.
As I indicated in my previous testimony, I did not provide input to the headquarters-led multi-year process to address the deficiencies of the official residence. With respect to previous questions from the committee regarding a report prepared by the department's property bureau in April 2023, I want to be clear that I was unaware that any mention of my observations had been included as part of the mission's input to the property team.
Any mention from the mission referencing my views on the state of the official residence was the result of an indirect, third-hand report of a remark made to a colleague. This in no way constituted an effort to influence a complex departmental process initiated in 2014—that is, eight years prior to my arrival.
As all officials who have come before this committee have stated, the property project for the official residence was led by Global Affairs Canada headquarters. The decision to relocate the residence was taken in Ottawa, based on a detailed financial analysis and needs assessment overseen by a governance structure designed to prevent against any undue influence. As with all departmental property decisions, this process followed a strict set of guidelines and requirements designed to ensure that decisions are based on value for money and long-term benefits for Canadians. As we have heard, Canada's new official residence is smaller, cheaper and accessible.
In closing, I did not seek or have the opportunity to exert influence or direct the department's ongoing consideration of the residence, nor did I exert any influence or direction on the purchase of the new residence.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.