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.
4:05 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
You got paid and then you paid them. I'm trying to get to the bottom of this. I'm trying to understand this.
You got paid from Dalian and then you paid them.
4:10 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Okay.
In terms of the set-aside, it's my understanding that you did this, that Botler was doing some work on the set-aside. Can you explain that, what we've heard at testimony already?
4:10 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
Once the presentation was approved by the president, at that point CBSA would go back and look at existing contracts they currently had and what would fit better in a statement of work on a competitive contract that existed.
They chose Dalian and Coradix's contract.
4:10 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Okay. In an email about a payment, you said you would let it slide and you would recover it later because you were certain you would get more government contracts.
You were basically going to take payment for this deal out of another deal.
Would that be accurate?
4:10 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Okay. What's your interpretation of that email? It would be good to explain that.
4:10 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
You win some, you lose some.
Up to that point, having represented them for 12 months, I had made zero dollars. I got the pilot. I didn't get any money off this one. In sales, sometimes you win some and sometimes you lose some.
I was looking out for the next one. It was not to recover money, but my understanding was.... I thought we had something. Again, I continued to work with them—even after I got zero dollars—to try to get new meetings, to understand that I would get money eventually, on one of these contracts.
4:10 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
When did you first start doing contracts and business with the Government of Canada?
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
I'm sorry. I'm afraid that's our time. You'll have to take that up in the next round.
Colleagues, before we continue, I have to suspend for a very brief moment, because we have Mr. Anthony finally joining us. We need to suspend for a voice check.
We are back. Mr. Genuis has a point of order.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
On a point of order, Chair, the committee summoned Mr. Anthony to be here. He didn't have his Zoom updated. He's 45 minutes late. We wanted to hear from him for two hours.
I suggest the committee invite him to go on his way today, and we can have him back for another time, when he can be here for the full two hours. We summoned him to be here for two hours. We welcome him to come back next week for two hours.
4:10 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Mr. Anthony, the will of the committee is to have you come back at another time for two hours. You're excused. You can leave us right now, and we will find another day to have you back for two hours.
We'll advise you of the time.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
You're welcome to stay and listen in, if you want. However, my understanding is we will not be asking any questions of or inviting any comments from you.
Mr. Brock, you are up for six minutes, please.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Thank you, Chair.
Mr. Firth, there are a few things I want to remind you about before I ask you some questions.
With respect to parliamentary privilege—which every member enjoys in this committee—it's a contempt of Parliament, sir, to mislead this committee by giving a false statement or false evidence; to refuse, unless related to cabinet confidence, to answer any questions; or to fail to produce documents that this committee might require someone to produce.
Although you have not sworn on a holy book, this parliamentary privilege binds your conscience and binds your responses to always provide us with the truth.
Do you understand that, sir?
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Mr. Firth, in light of all the criminal allegations that have been levied against you, Dalian and Coradix over the last several weeks.... Specifically, these offences have been in the spotlight: the offence of theft over $5,000, forgery, fraud over $5,000, and impersonation. All these, if prosecuted by indictment by a prosecutor in this country, could result in a conviction, with someone serving a sentence greater than two years.
Are you aware of that, sir?
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Under this cloud of serious and significant criminal suspicion, have you retained legal counsel?
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Has legal counsel—without my asking what legal counsel has informed you—impressed upon you the importance of telling the truth?
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Has legal counsel instructed you not to answer certain questions?
