Public Accounts Committee on March 4th, 2008

[John Williams, Conservative, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

The clerk will write him a letter.

[The Chair, Liberal, Shawn Murphy]

Within two weeks--is that fine for you?

[Gary Polachek]

I don't think that will be a problem.

[The Chair, Liberal, Shawn Murphy]

Thank you very much.

[Gary Polachek]

So it's just the dates in question that you would like.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

It's between January 2001 and August 2004. The letter we send you will have the verbatim of my question.

Can you also provide a list of all entities that had a financial interest in 800 Place Victoria between the same dates, including but not limited to an option to purchase, conditional financing arrangements, conditional purchase agreements, and other similar financial agreements? Can you do that?

[Gary Polachek]

I believe the short answer to the second part is there were none. The ownership at Place Victoria was constant between June of either 2000 or 2001, up until August 2004. I guess for a few months leading up to August 2004 there was an option to purchase that ultimately got concluded in 2004. I'll provide that information.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

And that option to purchase was with whom?

[Gary Polachek]

The Jolina group.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

When was that option first signed?

[Gary Polachek]

That was negotiated in the late spring of 2004. Ultimately the ownership was transferred in August 2004.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

When did Jolina Capital's owners or any of its agents first indicate an interest in acquiring an ownership interest in 800 Place Victoria?

[Gary Polachek]

It was middle to late spring 2004.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Was this interest expressed verbally or in writing?

[Gary Polachek]

I guess both.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Can you please produce the documents in which that written interest was conveyed?

[Gary Polachek]

Sure.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Thank you.

[Gary Polachek]

To clarify, and I will provide it, there was an associate of theirs who provided an expression of interest, a letter of intent, which I believe made reference to Jolina. I will make a note of it and provide it to you.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

What was the exact date when Jolina Capital acquired an ownership interest in 800 Place Victoria?

[Gary Polachek]

Between August 4 and August 10, 2004.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Can you produce records of that transaction for us, just so we have written confirmation of that date?

[Gary Polachek]

Sure.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Thank you.

Who was the first member of the Saputo family to express an interest in 800 Place Victoria?

[Gary Polachek]

I guess I can only comment from my perspective. That would be Mr. Lino Saputo.