Public Accounts Committee on Oct. 9th, 2024

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

No. There were some issues with the fact of a testimony, which the witness later corrected, and it's on the record. She later corrected it. The idea that somebody would—

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

That's convenient. The truth came out at committee.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

—somehow accept an appointment without having applied is ridiculous. Name me any employer that would say, “I named this person my employee without their having applied.”

What the honourable members are saying doesn't even make sense. I repeat, the people applied—

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

It's Liberals helping Liberals.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Perkins and Mr. Cooper already had the opportunity to question Mr. Bains, and the fact that he is again appearing before a committee where the same individuals are present doesn't make any sense.

I don't have any questions for Mr. Bains. I understand perfectly what he said. I read the transcripts of all the meetings since June. It took these people five months to make their accusations, even before he got to answer.

Mr. Bains, you're going to go through a certain issue. You're going to be asked for a yes-or-no answer, and you're going to be accused. They're going to opine on certain facts that they will not allow you to answer because they will interrupt you. That's the way it's gone at the INDU committee—

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

That's because he refuses to answer.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

—and unfortunately—

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

He's hiding his corrupt friends.

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

You're interrupting now.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

—it's the way it's going to go at this committee, and I apologize for this, but we know you had nothing to do with this.

There were certain people who had something to do with it, but it was never connected to a minister's office. It was never.... I know you guys are trying hard, really—

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

He directed and managed the conflict.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I know, Mr. Perkins, that maybe it worked at that time when you were at the BDC, but it certainly does not work at this committee—

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Thank you, Mr. Drouin, that is—

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

—and with the way we appointed people.

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

You ignored testimony.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Mr. Perkins and Mr. Drouin—

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

You ignored the testimony.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Mr. Perkins, we will be back to your side.

That is the time.

Ms. Sinclair‑Desgagné, you may go ahead for six minutes.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

Mr. Chair, I'd like to use my first few seconds to ask my fellow members to take a deep breath. We have work to do. I urge the government members to give me their time if they don't have any questions for Mr. Bains. I, myself, have many.

Mr. Bains, what is your relationship with Amber Batool?

[Navdeep Bains]

Thank you for your question.

I worked with Ms. Batool when I was at CIBC.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

Did you not know Ms. Batool when she was vice-president of Sustainable Development Technology Canada, or SDTC?

[Navdeep Bains]

I'm sorry.

Can you repeat that, please? I'm sorry, but I didn't hear.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

Did you not know Ms. Batool when she worked at SDTC?

[Navdeep Bains]

I think I met her maybe once or twice at an event.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

Ms. Batool was the vice-president of SDTC, and during that time, you didn't speak to her more than once or twice.

However, Ms. Batool followed you to the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, CIBC. She got a job at CIBC right after you. That's pretty—