Evidence of meeting #82 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 cbsa.
A video is available from Parliament.
President, CORADIX Technology Consulting Ltd.
I can answer the question in relation to the Botler AI task authorization. Is that what you're asking me?
NDP
President, CORADIX Technology Consulting Ltd.
We don't have a relationship. We have done business from time to time, but typically, clients come to us. In this instance, for the Botler AI project, they were named in the task authorization request, and the CBSA informed GC Strategies.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Okay.
When you hire a subcontractor and they have a dispute with the sub who's subbing from the subcontractor—like Botler and GC Strategies—and there is work that's been done by one of your subs, but you've been paid for the work, do you leave the responsibility to pay them with the first sub? Because you've been paid for the work they've done—like in Botler's case, where they claim they've done $350,000 worth of work—do you not take responsibility for that, or do you communicate with your initial sub and say, “The work has been done. Why haven't you paid the vendor?”
President, CORADIX Technology Consulting Ltd.
There are a few things there, Mr. Chair, and to the member.
The CBSA received only two deliverables from Botler AI before it terminated the contract. In these types of relationships, we only communicate with the company we hold the contractual arrangement with.
It's also a fact that—
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Okay. They can basically stiff or bankrupt a company that's doing work for Canadian taxpayers. Basically, that sub can bankrupt somebody who is doing honest, good work for Canadians. That's what I'm getting at.
Can you tell me who Patrick van Abbema is, and what his relationship to you is?
President, CORADIX Technology Consulting Ltd.
Botler was paid for both of those deliverables, by the way.
Patrick van Abbema was also included in the task authorization for the Botler AI project.
President, CORADIX Technology Consulting Ltd.
I'm sorry. I missed part of the question.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Did you make a commission on the Botler contract at all? If so, how much was it?
President, CORADIX Technology Consulting Ltd.
The total value of the Botler AI.... Each deliverable was worth $70,000. They submitted two deliverables, and Coradix and Dalian made $14,000 on each deliverable.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
In terms of the indigenous set-aside...I have lots of questions related to this. I really value the program because indigenous involvement and leadership in Canadian procurement are important aspects of reconciliation.
How many joint ventures have Dalian and Coradix gone into?
President, CORADIX Technology Consulting Ltd.
We have been in a joint venture since 2004. From time to time, when we decide to respond to RFPs, we make a decision together on whether to engage in the RFP as a joint venture or independently.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
How many joint ventures have Dalian and Coradix gone into that were not connected to the indigenous set-aside program?
President, CORADIX Technology Consulting Ltd.
Mr. Chair, and to the member, I don't have that number for you. I apologize.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Can you produce that number to this committee within three weeks? I'd like numbers both for how many joint ventures Dalian and Coradix have gone into, and for how many joint ventures Dalian and Coradix have gone into that were not connected to the indigenous set-aside program.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
That's great. Thank you.
We'll go to Mr. Barrett, please, for five minutes.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Yeo, what's the structure of your business as it relates to your counterpart on the other side of the desk? How many employees do you have?
President and Founder, Dalian Enterprises Inc.
Mr. Chair, and to the member, thank you very much for the question.
I started the business in 2001—
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
I'm not looking for what year it was founded. I'm looking for the structure—the org chart—if you can provide that in verbal terms in under 30 seconds.
President and Founder, Dalian Enterprises Inc.
Absolutely.
In 2001, I went to Coradix when I first won my first contract out of the PSAB. We formed a business together. We basically hold, in a corporate structure.... We have two full-time employees with Dalian—
Conservative