Government Operations Committee on Oct. 31st, 2023

[Colin Wood]

Yes, we can.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Thank you very much.

What was your involvement with Botler?

[Colin Wood]

We were not involved with Botler. We didn't have a contract with Botler. We subcontracted the work to GC Strategies.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Okay.

What work did Dalian complete in the building of the program to help the CBSA fulfill its obligations under Bill C-65?

[Colin Wood]

That would go back to 2019 when we responded to an RFP at CBSA.

If the chair would allow me to explain how our business works and how we were awarded that contract, it might help explain how we were given this task authorization.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

What would you say is the total value of contracts that you received from GC Strategies?

[Colin Wood]

Mr. Chair and to the member, we haven't received contracts from GC Strategies.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

What's the total value of contracts you have received from CBSA?

[Colin Wood]

I can provide that to you in writing at a later time.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Please do.

[Colin Wood]

I don't have that in front of me. I was prepared today to speak about ArriveCAN and Botler AI.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Okay.

What's the total amount of contracting that you've done with the entire government?

[Colin Wood]

Mr. Chair, I'm just not prepared to talk about that today.

We're here to talk about ArriveCAN and some expanded questions on Botler AI.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

What different departments have both Dalian and Coradix done contracting for?

[Colin Wood]

We have responded to and been awarded several contracts in many Government of Canada departments and agencies.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Yes. Can you provide a list of them, please.

[Colin Wood]

Yes, we can.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Okay. So you will provide a list of those to the committee. That's great.

How much of your—

[Colin Wood]

Mr. Chair, could we have a time period for that, please.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I will follow up after this.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Okay.

[Colin Wood]

Thank you.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Did you see the résumés that were submitted to CBSA prior to their submission for Mr. Amir Morv and Ms. Ritika Dutt?

[Colin Wood]

I can walk you through that process. We did not produce or edit any of the CVs that were provided to that submission. Those CVs were provided to us by GC Strategies on behalf of Botler.

I understand the question, and we were disappointed that we were put in the position of passing along CVs that did contain incorrect information.

It is not uncommon for us to work with other companies as subcontractors, including big multinational companies, and when those firms provide us with CVs for their individuals or teams, we take those CVs to be valid as provided. As our contract states, we ensure that—

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I'm sorry to interrupt, Mr. Wood. That is our time.

Our clerk will provide to you a summary of the requests for documents. In this committee we passed a motion that we do require those documents within three weeks of today, but we will follow up with you.

Mr. Jowhari, you're splitting time with Mr. Bains.

Go ahead.