So in that sense I don't--
Evidence of meeting #35 for Public Accounts in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was space.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #35 for Public Accounts in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was space.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:25 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
So in that sense I don't--
5:25 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
No.
Mr. Arès should answer, because--
5:25 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
It's my understanding that once he learned that there was a better rate at Place Victoria--
5:25 p.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
No, no, but the final deal is already there. He's made reference to it, sir.
5:25 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Yes, sorry, and what was your question again?
5:25 p.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
My point is that his answer for.... You asked us, and you're the deputy. You asked us to take into account from this moment forward what he learned in the new lease versus what he might have thought about the original deal when he wrote this. But I'm pointing out that the comments in the first sentence make reference to the final lease. So he knew already what the final rate was going to be, ergo his comments are within the confines of knowing the final deal.
5:25 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
The final deal at Place Victoria. No, I think he might have....
Mr. Arès, do you want to answer this question?
5:25 p.m.
Regional Manager, Assets and Facilities Management, Department of Public Works and Government Services
In May, I knew that negotiations were going on with Place Victoria because the rental officers of the department had met with me to get the previous lease. That was around April 15th, I believe. There were discussions with the Place Victoria people. I knew that there were negotiations to try and get a new rent but at the time I had no idea of the rent that had been negotiated.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy
Okay, that will take care of that, colleagues.
If there are any brief closing remarks, we'll hear them. Otherwise, we're going to adjourn for let's say five minutes, for a health break, and we're going to resume in camera.
Does anyone have any closing remarks?
5:25 p.m.
Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Mr. Chair, may I correct a statement that I made?
We did provide the financial analysis with the new rate to the committee on October 24. So the investment analysis report including the $300 a metre was provided to the committee on October 24. I apologize for that.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy
The information that you did provide on October 24 in response to our letter of September 22 was very deficient in what we were looking for, as you know from the subsequent letters that we got from you. I really hope that in the future we do get full and fair disclosure from the department when Parliament wants it.
5:30 p.m.
Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
That is noted.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy
Okay.
This meeting is adjourned and we're going to resume in five minutes.
[Proceedings continue in camera]