Public Accounts Committee on May 16th, 2024

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Did you advocate for this?

[John Ossowski]

I don't even know what the reference is without looking at the document and seeing how it's been explained.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

If it's not you and if it's not the current president, President O'Gorman, then who is it?

[John Ossowski]

I'd be happy to review the document if the member would like to provide it to me.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Is it likely the Minister of Public Safety?

[John Ossowski]

Again, I'd be happy to review the document if the member would provide it to me.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Given everything that has transpired with this scandal, do you think it's highly appropriate for this committee, if not other committees, to have the former minister of public safety, Marco Mendicino, testify on these issues?

[John Ossowski]

I have no opinion on what the committee chooses to do in terms of who it calls for witnesses.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Do you think he has relevant information?

[John Ossowski]

I have no comment on who would provide relevant information.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Marco Mendicino essentially said to Minh Doan that, “Someone's head should be on a platter,” with respect to the controversy surrounding GC Strategies. Are you aware of that?

[John Ossowski]

I believe those comments and that testimony happened after I left the agency.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

All right.

Are you surprised? I know how proud you are of the work you did and the value that you claim was delivered to Canadians against the backdrop of all the scandals and a very damning Auditor General report about mismanagement at the CBSA under your leadership. Are you surprised, now that the RCMP is actively investigating not only the ArriveCAN debacle but circumstances surrounding GC Strategies?

[John Ossowski]

I look forward to the outcome of the RCMP's investigation.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

The question is, are you surprised? Do you think it's appropriate that the RCMP is investigating criminality surrounding ArriveCAN contracting under your leadership and the very fraudulent and forged practices exhibited by GC Strategies? Does it surprise you?

[John Ossowski]

I think that an unbiased, thoughtful and fulsome investigation is warranted.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

The procurement ombudsman found that Justin Trudeau's government favoured McKinsey contracting, a Liberal-connected firm with over $100 million in government contracts. In one case, the CBSA saw that McKinsey had not applied for a contract under your leadership, sir, so the CBSA revised the statement of work, with no documented explanation, allowing McKinsey to qualify. Were you part of that decision?

[John Ossowski]

I have no recollection of being involved in the contracting around McKinsey.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

How many millions of dollars, under your leadership, were awarded to McKinsey?

[John Ossowski]

I have no recollection of how much was spent with McKinsey.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Will you table that information? Will you ask Erin O'Gorman to assist you in tabling that information?

[John Ossowski]

I think that question would be better posed to the agency.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

I'm putting it to you, sir, because I don't know when Ms. O'Gorman will attend again.

The McKinsey contracts were under your leadership, so will you undertake to speak with Ms. O'Gorman and tell this committee how many millions of dollars in contracts, under your leadership, were awarded to McKinsey & Company?

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Thank you. Mr. Brock, hold on—

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Perhaps you could ask for another one-day contract.