Public Accounts Committee on April 3rd, 2024

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

In another example, the chief data officer for the public sector said, “They [GC Strategies] see the bigger picture and do not chase the 'quick sale'.” Who would have said that?

[Darryl Vleeming]

I'm not actually aware of who the chief data officer was at the time, sorry.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Has anyone tried to find out who said it?

[Darryl Vleeming]

I'm not part of the internal investigation, which I would assume is also going to be looking at that.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

In another case, a Government of Canada senior executive said, “GC Strategies listen and try to find solutions to my problems vs. selling me a solution to a problem I've never had.” Who would have said that?

[Darryl Vleeming]

I'm not aware of that either.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

We don't know. Could it have been Minh Doan?

[Darryl Vleeming]

It's impossible for me to answer that, as there is no detail on who actually said that and what their position was.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

I'm a bit surprised that even a basic level of curiosity wouldn't have encouraged you to find out if your predecessor, on an unnamed basis and only using the title that you now have, had actually said something like that, and then that you, now occupying that position, would not have sought remediation—that is, for it to be taken down.

Did you ask for it to be taken down by GC Strategies?

[Darryl Vleeming]

No. As far as I'm aware, it's certainly not against any rules or laws to put that up there, and I'm not sure the government has the ability to demand—

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

You could ask, if it's not true.

[Darryl Vleeming]

Again, if it's not against the law.... I'm not aware of them violating any rules by putting that up there. It's just not something that I would typically expect.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

So it's compliant with the values and ethics code for the public service.

[Darryl Vleeming]

As far as I'm aware, it would be compliant with the values and ethics code.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Well, I can tell you that if someone who previously held my position said something that I fundamentally disagree with and it was attributed in current time by job title only, I would at least ask the person who might have posted it, because I value my reputation and I think it's important to the integrity of the institution I represent that things that are demonstrably false don't continue to stand.

I would hope that people in senior positions who represent the Government of Canada on behalf of all Canadians would exercise that same basic due diligence. Let's be clear: This is a shady two-person company operating out of a basement. They get paid tens of millions of dollars, and they are now alleging that they're close enough with the Liberal government's senior officials that they're able to provide testimonials. I'm surprised that you'd be unaware and that there hasn't been an investigation of that.

Have you, sir, or the current CBSA executives, had any contact with Kristian Firth or Darren Anthony?

[Darryl Vleeming]

I have not met either of those—

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Have you had contact with them?

[Darryl Vleeming]

No. Never.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

You have had no phone calls, emails or text messages.

[Darryl Vleeming]

Nothing at all.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Moor, I have the same question for you.

[Jonathan Moor]

I have had no contact at all with GC Strategies or any of its employees.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Vleeming, do you know when Minh Doan, the person who previously occupied your position, would have last contacted them?

[Darryl Vleeming]

I'm not aware of that specific detail.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Moor, are you aware of their last contact with the agency?