Government Operations Committee on Oct. 24th, 2023

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Okay.

Has the CBSA ever consulted legal services with respect to Botler's allegations?

[Erin O'Gorman]

We have not consulted legal services. I have not sought legal services input. There's an independent investigation from the professional integrity director and an RCMP investigation. I referred it to the RCMP. I don't want to characterize what and how the RCMP is handling it.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Doan, the 2021 report from Botler was raised to you after it was reported to Antonio Utano.

Did he directly report that to you?

[Minh Doan]

Based on my memory, that was not raised to my attention.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

It was brought to him and he did not bring that report to your attention?

[Minh Doan]

He did not, in my memory.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

How many projects with GC Strategies, as either a contract or subcontract, were approved under your term as CIO at the CBSA?

[Minh Doan]

I can endeavour to get you that information. I've not been working with the CBSA since April, but I'll work with CBSA colleagues to get you a fulsome answer.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Thank you. I appreciate that.

Can you also supply the total of the above contracts as well?

[Minh Doan]

I will work with colleagues to get that information.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Did you apply to your current position at TBS, or were you suggested for the role?

[Minh Doan]

I was contacted by the current Government of Canada chief information officer, whom I had worked with in my previous role at CBSA, and was offered the opportunity.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Thank you.

I will go back to Mr. Ossowski.

I just want to clarify that you weren't aware of Botler's September 2021 misconduct report to the CBSA.

[John Ossowski]

I absolutely was not.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Okay.

Have you ever received any marketing material with the GC Strategies logo on it?

[John Ossowski]

I have no recollection of it.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Since taking over as managing director—

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

We'll go to Mr. Brock for five minutes, please.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

This question is for both Ms. O'Gorman and Mr. Ossowski.

There are two basic principles when witnesses appear at parliamentary committee. Although they're not sworn to tell the truth, there's an expectation that all witnesses who appear tell the truth and give fulsome answers.

However, both of you testified before committee on December 8, 2022, and made zero reference to the RCMP investigating this matter.

Is that correct?

[Erin O'Gorman]

So—

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

It's a yes or no. Is that correct?

[Erin O'Gorman]

It's not a yes or no.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Ms. O'Gorman, did you advise committee on December 8, 2022, that the RCMP was investigating, yes or no?

[Erin O'Gorman]

We were in discussions—

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Is it yes or no, Ms. O'Gorman?