Public Accounts Committee on March 6th, 2008

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Very well, I thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Shawn Murphy]

Merci beaucoup, Monsieur Crête.

Mr. Poilievre, you have eight minutes.

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

Thank you very much, Mr. Gagliano. I can understand your frustration in this. If I understand your sentiments correctly, it's sort of like you've been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in the old Liberal government, and now we've had witnesses here who by implication have just suggested that this was all your fault as well. I'm not convinced that it is entirely your fault, but I think it's good to have you here as—

[Charles Hubbard, Liberal, Miramichi, NB]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I'm not sure Mr. Poilievre has any information that other witnesses have placed blame on somebody.

Have they placed blame? Are you saying that this morning, Mr. Poilievre?

[The Chair, Liberal, Shawn Murphy]

I don't recall anybody—

[Charles Hubbard, Liberal, Miramichi, NB]

I've looked at the information, Mr. Chair. Maybe the clerk could provide it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Shawn Murphy]

We have no information that anyone suggested blame on Mr. Gagliano.

Go ahead, Mr. Poilievre.

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

Mr. Gagliano, why did Jean-Marc Bard put a hold on the Place Victoria tendering process?

[Alfonso Gagliano]

First of all, the first time I learned about that was by reading the documents and electronic e-mails that were exchanged. As I answered Mr. Crête before, my staff was regularly meeting with the officials from Public Works and Government Services, not just on this file but on different files, to get information, so that as regional ministers who were receiving a lot of demands for information we could answer those requests in a timely fashion. I have to assume from reading the documents, because I was not made aware that there was a hold or not, that they were asking questions and were not getting answers, and they were waiting for the answers.

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

Okay. But your staffer, Mr. Bard, put a hold on that. Why did he do that?

[Alfonso Gagliano]

He was my executive assistant.

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

Okay. I don't think you've answered that question.

The second question is, have you been in contact with Mr. Bard recently?

[Alfonso Gagliano]

Yes. When I received the convocation of the committee, I called Mr. Bard and asked him if he had any knowledge, any recollection, of this file, and he said he had no recollection.

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

What is his phone number? We're trying to get hold of him.

[Alfonso Gagliano]

If you wish, I can give the phone number to the clerk. I don't think it's appropriate that everybody have it. After the meeting this afternoon or tomorrow, I'll be glad to give the phone number I have to the clerk.

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

Why did your office ask that it be informed of any leases coming up for competition in the Montreal area for 500 square metres or greater when across Canada it wanted to be made aware only of those involving 2,000 square metres or more?

[Alfonso Gagliano]

I believe it was not only for Montreal but for the whole province of Quebec.

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

It was back then that you were the minister for all of Canada. You were the public works minister for all of Canada.

[Alfonso Gagliano]

Yes, I was public works minister for all of Canada. I was also the regional minister for the province of Quebec. Therefore, as a regional minister I needed more information to facilitate the flow of answering queries and questions that were coming to me. My staff and I decided to have regular meetings and get involved in more transactions. That's why we reduced the bar for the amount of square feet for the province of Quebec.

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

Have you ever met Lino Saputo?

[Alfonso Gagliano]

I know Mr. Saputo. He's a prominent member of the Italian community.

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

How long have you been a friend of his?

[Alfonso Gagliano]

For many years.

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

Did he get in contact with you or did you speak to him prior to this lease having come up for Place Victoria?

[Alfonso Gagliano]

Not at all. My encounters with Mr. Saputo were social. We never discussed any of his business or any of my business; therefore, there was never any discussion on government business.