So—
Evidence of meeting #132 for Justice and Human Rights in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cabinet.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #132 for Justice and Human Rights in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cabinet.
A video is available from Parliament.
11:10 a.m.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
As I said, I was one of the most heavily lobbied members of Parliament in 2017. As a result of being part of that, I was lobbied by big businesses, small businesses and universities across Canada.
11:10 a.m.
St. Albert—Edmonton, CPC
I understand that, Mr. Lametti, but you did meet, in fact, with Neil Bruce, and Neil Bruce, of course, is who? He's the CEO of SNC-Lavalin. Is that correct?
11:10 a.m.
St. Albert—Edmonton, CPC
So, he's a pretty big deal. It must jog your memory quite a bit to have—
11:10 a.m.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Actually, it doesn't jog my memory. As I said, I believe the Hill Times reported that I was the most lobbied MP in 2017, ahead of my minister, Minister Bains, at the time. Again, it was part of the role of the innovation minister to meet with stakeholders—
11:10 a.m.
St. Albert—Edmonton, CPC
Government [Inaudible—Editor]
Well, anyhow, I understand that—
11:10 a.m.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
—across Canada, and it is up to the lobbyist to list, as the lobbyist has done, the topics that we covered.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Lisa Raitt Conservative Milton, ON
Mr. Chair, is it not the convention that the length of the answer matches the length of the question?
11:10 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
That hasn't yet occurred before this committee, but I've asked the witnesses to be considerate to give the members their time, and I will keep trying to do that, and Mr. Cooper will be sure to get his time.
11:10 a.m.
St. Albert—Edmonton, CPC
Okay. Thank you.
Mr. Lametti, it was noted that one of the topics was government procurement. Of course, that directly concerns the issue at hand in terms of the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin and the impact that will have on its ability to bid on government contracts.
Let me put it to you simply. Did you discuss the fraud and bribery charges involving SNC-Lavalin with Mr. Bruce?
11:10 a.m.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Again, I have no strong recollection of the meeting. As I said, it is up to the lobbyist to report—
11:10 a.m.
St. Albert—Edmonton, CPC
Mr. Lametti, I understand your answer. You say you can't remember. Okay. But I presume you had a staff member with you.
11:10 a.m.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
It was my practice to have either my parliamentary secretary assistant or a member of my Hill staff at the meeting. We have been unable yet to ascertain with ISED who the person was staffing me at the meeting. We can get back to you on that. But I can tell you that—
11:10 a.m.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
—Mr. Cooper, that there wasn't, I recall, any strong action item as a result of that meeting, either.
11:10 a.m.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
It's either the parliamentary secretary assistant or the staff.
11:10 a.m.
St. Albert—Edmonton, CPC
Will you undertake to identify who accompanied you to that meeting and to table with this committee any notes taken in respect to that meeting?
February 21st, 2019 / 11:10 a.m.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
I will undertake to find out who staffed me at that meeting or, indeed, if the meeting actually existed, because oftentimes, as you know, on the lobbying record, lobbyists throw in....