Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Dec. 14th, 2010

[Russell Ullyatt]

Yes, I did speak to Ms. Block on the phone, I believe, that evening or that afternoon. I do not recall what time. I indicated that the report had been received from the clerk's office. She said she would like to review it at her home over the weekend. Because she cannot print things from her BlackBerry, nor review such a lengthy report on her BlackBerry, she indicated she would like it sent to her home account so she could print it.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

So did you tell her that evening when you spoke with her that you had in fact sent it to the lobbyist?

[Russell Ullyatt]

No, I did not.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

When did she become aware of that?

[Russell Ullyatt]

I am not sure. The only communication I had with Ms. Block was at 7 a.m. on Friday, when she indicated that she had reason to terminate me from her office.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

So Ms. Block didn't tell you how she became aware that you had in fact done this?

[Russell Ullyatt]

No, she did not. She indicated to me that she had heard that I distributed the report. She was, in effect, asking me a question, if I had done what she had heard. I indicated immediately that I had. I did not lie to Ms. Block. I admitted my mistake, at which point she explained to me the parliamentary privilege aspect of my actions as well as the fact that I was terminated from her office.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

Now, Mr. Ullyatt, you've said here under oath that you never read the report.

[Russell Ullyatt]

That is correct.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

So you took a confidential report, you sent it to these particular lobbyists. What about the report did you think would be of interest to these particular lobbyists? What were they to gain from it? Normally, if you're going to send something to someone, there's a reason for doing that. I would think in this case—you said you wanted to feel important—that there would be something in it for the lobbyist.

[Russell Ullyatt]

Again, Mr. Chair, it's an incredibly difficult question to answer, because I simply do not have a reason why I either chose those five individuals or why I chose to forward the report at all. All I can do is sincerely apologize and admit that it was a lapse.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

Let me then ask you, Mr. Ullyatt, were you looking to obtain employment with any of those lobbyists?

[Russell Ullyatt]

I've been in communication with multiple places on employment matters, but no, I was not expecting to get a job from them because of sending them this report, or anything like that.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

That wasn't my question, Mr. Ullyatt.

Have you applied for employment at any point in time with any of those lobbyists?

[Russell Ullyatt]

Yes.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

May I ask which one?

[Russell Ullyatt]

All of them.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

And were you being considered, prior to sending them the report, for employment?

[Russell Ullyatt]

Yes.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

By which one?

[Russell Ullyatt]

By all of them.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

Had all of them in fact indicated to you that they would hire you?

[Russell Ullyatt]

No. That is.... No.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

Can I get an answer to my question, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I thought he said no, but....