Public Accounts Committee on March 10th, 2011

[Jean-Claude D'Amours, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

But why did you sign a confidentiality agreement? It is nevertheless curious that the government would give you half a million dollars and state that you are not entitled to speak to anyone about what you agreed to together, nor were you entitled to discuss any agreement that you reached. Do you feel that this is acceptable? If I understand what you are saying, the Prime Minister's Office required you to sign an agreement to remain silent. The government, however, is making comments left and right but you, unlike the government, must remain silent. You were paid half a million dollars to leave your position and remain silent, even though you handed in a letter of resignation.

[Christiane Ouimet]

Sir, first of all, I accepted the agreement because there was no option to negotiate. The wording was already determined. I do agree with you. I am not going to remain silent. I am going to speak and share the facts with you. I will answer all of the questions put by the committee. That is why I have come here and why I interrupted my vacation, which was intended to allow me to rest. I am prepared to answer all of your questions.

[Jean-Claude D'Amours, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Earlier, you mentioned that you had not received any information... Nonetheless, I would like you to explain something. When you met Minister Stockwell Day, the President of the Treasury Board, did you at that time or at any other time discuss any specific cases?

[Christiane Ouimet]

Let me explain what the obligations of all parliamentary officers and all those in charge of government agencies are. Parliamentary officers have the duty to hold meetings—and in my case, it was one meeting per year, in the presence of my senior counsel—for three reasons.

First, the minister in charge signs the transfers of funds and tables the Report on Plans and Priorities. In the past, we had problems obtaining our financial transfers.

Secondly, the minister, pursuant to the legislation, is responsible for promoting the legislation, for tabling a code of conduct, and for the five-year review. These are very important questions for the disclosure system.

Third—

[Jean-Claude D'Amours, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Could you explain, Ms. Ouimet, why you wanted to discuss certain cases with the minister?

[The Chair, Liberal, Joe Volpe]

Mr. D'Amours, we must give the floor to Ms. Faille.

You'll get it in the next round.

Ms. Ouimet, wait a moment, because it is Ms. Faille's turn.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. You are talking about a non-negotiable agreement. Who imposed this agreement on you? With whom did you negotiate it?

[Christiane Ouimet]

First of all, I was not the one who negotiated it. The Privy Council Office insisted that it had to be done through third parties, people such as lawyers. I did not have—

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

But who?

[Christiane Ouimet]

At the time, it was someone called Bruce Harris.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Bruce Harris. All right.

[Christiane Ouimet]

He was my lawyer, Bruce Carr-Harris.

Bruce Carr-Harris, to be more specific, madam.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

And what about Mr. Whitehall?

[Christiane Ouimet]

No, not Mr. Whitehall.

Mr. Whitehall was my legal counsel during the Auditor General's auditing procedures. Mr. Bruce Carr-Harris negotiated this agreement with a government attorney, whom I do not know.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Someone you do not know?

[Christiane Ouimet]

Someone I do not know.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Could you give his name to the committee after having gotten it from your attorney? Could you do the research and give us the name?

[Christiane Ouimet]

All right.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Thank you.

The Prime Minister spoke about your departure this morning. He said that the $500,000 severance pay would help to save money and to quickly resolve the litigation. What is your answer to that?

[Christiane Ouimet]

I was not aware of this comment. I believe, if I take the example of colleagues who might have known similar or identical situations, that we do not necessarily get any support in this case. I had done my work. I received a non-negotiable offer and I accepted it.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Therefore, you're aware of the fact that you participated in a manoeuvre to stifle the Auditor General's report?

[Christiane Ouimet]

Absolutely not, quite the contrary. I am here to deal with the Auditor General's report, which is basically erroneous. I was not able to make any comments about it because it was tabled when I was no longer in that position. My mandate was terminated. I was not in Canada, and I was devastated, madam, when I learned about this report with which I take strong exception. I am here to answer your questions. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Thus, the agreement was negotiated between the attorneys. Could you tell us the exact amounts that you are going to receive or that you have received up to now?

[Christiane Ouimet]

I do not have these figures at hand. You have the agreements. You are probably in a better position than I am to discuss this issue. One part of this applies to all public servants, but you should ask the Privy Council Office for the details.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

You have no knowledge of how much you are going to receive?