Government Operations Committee on Feb. 6th, 2023

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

I would need to check that your facts are correct, Mr. Barrett.

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

If my facts are correct, would you believe it to be appropriate?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

I can only say that I would need the full facts before I came to a conclusion.

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

This is a matter of public record. Would you say that...?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

I have not seen that public record.

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

Okay. It's been reported in Canadian media and in international media. Whose responsibility would it be in your department to brief you with respect to the actions of a contractor of the Government of Canada?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

Obviously it would be the public officials we rely upon, my deputy and associate staff.

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

Knowing now that it's been reported in the media, do you believe that it's something you ought to have been made aware of when it was reported?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

I'm not sure that Mr. Thompson was aware. Perhaps we—

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

Madam Minister, it's your responsibility. Ultimately, the buck stops with you.

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

I take my responsibilities very seriously, Mr. Barrett. We will look into all these allegations.

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

Would you be willing to report back to this committee on the decision-making process you arrive at?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

At the request of the full committee, I have no doubt I will make any appearance possible.

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

Chair, I ask for consensus for the minister to table the information that she's already gathered.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Do we have the will of the committee for that?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

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

I look forward to that.

How many times has McKinsey met or communicated with the minister or staff in your department?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

I have never communicated with McKinsey. I cannot speak for anybody else.

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

How many times have your staff met with them?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

I inquired of my staff today, and they say never.

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

No one from PSPC has ever met or spoken with—

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

My political staff, the current staff in my office, said to me very clearly that they have had no communication with McKinsey.

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

Has past staff done so?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

How would I know?

I can certainly inquire.

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

Madam Minister, you're making an appearance at the Standing Committee on Government Operations. It was even reported in the media today that this company isn't registered to lobby when they are clearly lobbying the government. Didn't you think to ask your staff how many times people in that department had met with this company when they've done more than $100 million in business?