Government Operations Committee on Oct. 20th, 2022

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

It identifies as private.

[Kristian Firth]

I can get back to you on that answer. I will give you an answer in writing. I don't have the answer to that right now.

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

Okay.

There were a number of documents that I referenced, and I appreciate your acknowledging that the request was from the committee to the government to provide that information.

Instead of seeking that the committee pass a motion ordering production of those documents, I would like to request—and you can tell me if you would receive this request or if I should proceed with seeking the will of the committee—proof that subcontractors' work was done in Canada, that subcontractors have current security clearances, proof of the deliverables that were asked for, how much everyone was paid, the names of all subcontractors and delivery partners that you worked with, and the total amounts you received from the Government of Canada for the app.

I would gladly provide that in writing just in case there's anything missing.

Would you be able to provide that back to the committee in writing?

[Kristian Firth]

First of all, I can assure that all the approved resources are from reputable organizations. They all hold valid security clearances. I know it's my word, but we do have NDAs in place and confidentiality agreements with all of our subcontractors. At this time, I can't disclose them.

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

Mr. Chair, I would move that the committee request the production of those documents.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Are you going to move a specific motion?

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

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I will suspend your time. You had about three seconds left.

Go ahead, please, with your motion.

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

I move that the committee request the documents listed in the original production order to the government, including the total amounts received from the Government of Canada for the ArriveCAN app, the names of all subcontractors and delivery partners that GCstrategies collaborated with, how much all entities were paid, what the deliverables were for work, proof that the subcontractors have current security clearances, and proof that the subcontractors' work was done in Canada.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thanks, Mr. Barrett.

I believe that is in order, but let me follow up with our clerk.

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

Thanks.

[The Clerk]

Do you have anything written down? I was making notes, but I don't—

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

No. I appreciate your taking notes. I just wanted to seek if they would provide this. I didn't plan to move the motion. I thought perhaps they'd be able to. They're unable contractually, so I'm seeking to use the power of production of documents that this committee has in order to request them.

[The Clerk]

If you wouldn't mind repeating it so that I can make sure my notes are correct, I would appreciate it. Do you have the list there?

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

Yes. Absolutely.

[The Clerk]

Thanks, Mr. Barrett.

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

I'll read it so that you capture what's in the original motion, Clerk, if you don't have that.

Those documents are, in their unredacted format, documents related to planning, contracting, subcontracting of app development and launch, including all requests for proposals, RFPs, all documentation related to contractors and subcontractors; and that the committee also receive the total amounts that GCstrategies received from the Government of Canada for the ArriveCAN app, the names of all of the subcontractors and delivery partners, how much they received in payment, what the deliverables were for payment, proof that subcontractors have security clearances, and proof that subcontractors' work was done in Canada.

[The Clerk]

Okay. I think I got it all.

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

Thank you very much, Mr. Clerk.

[The Clerk]

Thank you, Mr. Barrett. I appreciate it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Before I call for debate, do you wish to speak on it, Mr. Barrett?

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

Mr. Chair, I appreciate that the witnesses have come here today. They've provided the information that they can. They've articulated that they have some restrictions that prevent them from being able to offer it without being compelled to do so, so I'm seeking to do that.

I find it particularly important today, based on the information CBSA has provided with respect to all of the funds they've paid out. It doesn't match what vendors have been paid. It's going to be important that we see what the side of the private sector partners looks like and then compare that with what the government side looks like. It's important to see where $54 million went.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Are you suggesting a date and time as well, Mr. Barrett?

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

I would defer to the clerk on whatever the standard has been for a reasonable production order, noting that it's a two-person shop.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

There generally hasn't been a standard in our committee, because some of the results have been one page and some of them have been 500 pages. Perhaps it is a couple of weeks.