Evidence of meeting #19 for Public Accounts in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was bonaventure.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Marcel Lussier Bloc Brossard—La Prairie, QC
I have here a document that mentions the name of Christian Couture. It is the 2001 Auditor General's Report, Chapter 4. Is this the same Christian Couture? I was not able to—
12:20 p.m.
As an Individual
I strongly doubt that it is the same Christian Couture, because at the time, he was working for another real estate company.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Marcel Lussier Bloc Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Therefore, he could not have been released from his duties as an accountant to perform an audit with the Auditor General.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Marcel Lussier Bloc Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Mr. Couture began working for Weloga in 2001. Was he involved in the Place Victoria file?
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Marcel Lussier Bloc Brossard—La Prairie, QC
To your knowledge, is there any relation between Normand Couture, the Regional Director General in Montreal, and Christian Couture, Vice-President of Weloga?
12:20 p.m.
As an Individual
Would you like an answer? I can check with Mr. Couture to see if there is any such relation.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Marcel Lussier Bloc Brossard—La Prairie, QC
I would appreciate obtaining an answer to this question.
One of our documents is a letter dated October 6, 2004, sent by Lise Lefort to Guy Collin.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Marcel Lussier Bloc Brossard—La Prairie, QC
He is the regional Director General of Public Works in Montreal.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Marcel Lussier Bloc Brossard—La Prairie, QC
His name comes up frequently in the file.
In one of the documents in the file, dated October 6, 2004, Lise Lefort writes to Guy Collin concerning the offices in Place Victoria. She states that for the next five years, the premises occupied will remain the same.
Was the lease for five years or ten years?
12:20 p.m.
As an Individual
According to the call for tenders, the lease was for 10 years. In the end, we negotiated a renewal of five years.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
12:20 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Fitzpatrick Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Mr. Gladu had made it abundantly clear to this committee that it wasn't his wish. He wanted to carry on the lease with Bonaventure. And he's an experienced public servant—retired, I believe.
Mr. Mario Arès, who was carrying the ball for Public Works, made it quite clear in his memo that he hadn't received any guidance or instructions from the client to change the specifications or to go into direct negotiations. Basically, he said that the responsibility for this matter had been taken out of his hands and was in the minister's office.
Madam Cochrane, let's be fair here. You were receiving a fair amount of guidance from Minister Drouin's office to enter direct negotiations with the landlord on this property. Isn't that a fair comment? I don't want an explanation, but is it a fair comment?
12:20 p.m.
As an Individual
The only expression of wish came from the letter that Monsieur Drouin sent to his colleague, Mr. Boudria.
12:20 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Fitzpatrick Conservative Prince Albert, SK
But he made his preference quite clear in the letter; he thought it would be good to stay in the same premises.
12:20 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Fitzpatrick Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Okay. And for a good public servant, when the minister gives directions like that, it's probably a good idea to give that guidance a fair amount of respect.
