Evidence of meeting #159 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 audits.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Garry Hartle  Senior Compliance Auditor, As an Individual
Alexander Jeglic  Procurement Ombud, Office of the Procurement Ombud

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

What do you mean by they “invented a program”?

11:15 a.m.

Senior Compliance Auditor, As an Individual

Garry Hartle

I'm sorry. They designed it—

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Was it for the purpose of giving contracts to this company?

11:15 a.m.

Senior Compliance Auditor, As an Individual

Garry Hartle

—to go to this entity.

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

What's the relationship between this company and the Government of Canada?

11:15 a.m.

Senior Compliance Auditor, As an Individual

Garry Hartle

I have no idea.

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Okay.

Could you tell us the situation about Roundpoint getting their contract pulled in the meantime?

11:15 a.m.

Senior Compliance Auditor, As an Individual

Garry Hartle

Oh, yes. I—

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley

Mr. Hartle, I'm afraid I have to interrupt. That is our time. Perhaps we can get to it in the next round with Mr. Genuis, or you can provide it to us in writing.

We'll go over to Mrs. Atwin now.

Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Hartle, for being with us today.

Have you ever been a permanent or part-time employee of Indigenous Services Canada?

11:15 a.m.

Senior Compliance Auditor, As an Individual

Garry Hartle

No, I have not.

Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB

The recent Globe and Mail article mentions that you worked under contract with the government.

11:15 a.m.

Senior Compliance Auditor, As an Individual

Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB

Why does your LinkedIn profile indicate that you've been employed at Indigenous Services since 2016, with no mention of Roundpoint Consulting?

11:15 a.m.

Senior Compliance Auditor, As an Individual

Garry Hartle

No, I think I addressed that in my remarks, which you will get a copy of, definitely.

In fact, the thing is that I started in November 2016 as a subcontractor to Altis Professional Services, which held the contract to supply independent third party auditors for the strategy. Altis's contract ended on March 31, 2021. Then Roundpoint put its bid in that fall and won the contract. I started again on April 1, 2022, as an employee of Roundpoint Consulting.

Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB

Thank you. I just have such a short period of time here.

Were there any conflict of interest screens in place while you were a contractor for Indigenous Services Canada?

11:20 a.m.

Senior Compliance Auditor, As an Individual

Garry Hartle

What kind of conflict of interest?

Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB

Were you aware of any conflict of interest screens or policies in place for employees at Indigenous Services Canada while you were a contractor for them? Was there a conversation about conflict of interest?

11:20 a.m.

Senior Compliance Auditor, As an Individual

Garry Hartle

I am not covered by conflict of interest if I'm a subcontractor.

Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB

Okay.

I think you mentioned this: Can you confirm whether you have ever been an employee of Roundpoint Consulting?

11:20 a.m.

Senior Compliance Auditor, As an Individual

Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB

Has Roundpoint Consulting ever been listed in the indigenous business directory?

11:20 a.m.

Senior Compliance Auditor, As an Individual

Garry Hartle

Yes, Roundpoint Consulting was in there.

Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB

Do you know when that occurred?

11:20 a.m.

Senior Compliance Auditor, As an Individual

Garry Hartle

It was maybe in 2020 or 2021. They've been a member of the IBD for quite some time.