Evidence of meeting #83 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 work.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:50 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
No. We had subsequent meetings thereafter, but no deal was made and no commission was made.
4:50 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
No, I am not. I do not get employed by the people I work with. I don't charge a retainer or a fee. Actually, my model is completely against lobbying acts, because I want to get paid on the contract when it comes in.
4:50 p.m.
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
All right.
I'm trying to understand all this. You say you are not under investigation by the RCMP based on a series of allegations we have received.
However, the RCMP is investigating allegations of misconduct by three businesses involved in developing ArriveCan.
So you say you are not one of those three businesses.
4:50 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
No, not at all.
I'm just saying that I have not been contacted by the RCMP. The last time I heard testimony here, it was clarified that the RCMP was investigating only the Botler accusations and not ArriveCAN.
4:50 p.m.
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
All right.
Very quickly, could you tell us if, other than your telephone conversations, you have had any contact with Cameron McDonald?
4:50 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
During ArriveCAN, there were certain applications that needed to be integrated—there were NFC capabilities—so there would be meetings in the CBSA offices.
4:50 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
You indicated, Mr. Firth, that you've known Mr. MacDonald for “his whole career in the government”, but you admitted that that was embellished. Is that correct?
4:50 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Okay.
Mr. MacDonald directed Botler in February and said to “please work with Kristian”—they have this recorded, by the way—to “let Kristian work his magic”.
Can you explain what the magic is?
4:50 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
I mean, I can't speak on behalf of Cameron, but I can speculate. Some people call it magic, but I call it time and role. Government contracting is somewhat cumbersome, and it's very confusing to clients.
4:50 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
You can understand the appearance to Canadian taxpayers when they see a résumé changed—that this might be what he alluded to.
Mr. MacDonald suggested answers for executives. He wanted to start by saying, “I will start by saying that I was not personally familiar with GC Strategies during the time in question.” How do you feel about Mr. MacDonald suggesting something like that?
4:50 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
He said, “I will start by saying that I was not personally familiar with GC Strategies during the time in question.”
4:50 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
This is what he recommended around selecting a company on the ArriveCAN app.
4:50 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
I'm sorry, but I'm confused. Is it Botler or ArriveCAN?
4:50 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
It's regarding the hearings here in Parliament around ArriveCAN.
4:50 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
GC Strategies was selected by the CBSA and PSPC. I cannot tell you who the person was who selected us, but we were selected by the CBSA and PSPC.
4:50 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
Again, I cannot tell you who the person was at the CBSA who directed us [Inaudible—Editor]
4:50 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
I have had an email exchange with Ms. Daly, and I've met Ms. Daly.
