Debates of April 17th, 2024

Sitting Resumed

[Kristian Firth]

Mr. Speaker, yes, I will.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, why did the government go to GC Strategies for this sort of advice?

How did GC Strategies become a favoured contractor and adviser regarding RFPs to the Government of Canada?

[Kristian Firth]

Mr. Speaker, I got my first contract in 2011 and have done that subsequently by just responding to RFPs. It is flattering to be a recognized person who can provide requirements and help for the federal government.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is very flattering indeed. According to committee testimony, Mr. Firth received $2,600 per hour spent working on ArriveCAN. That is substantially more than the earnings of an average NHL player. It is very flattering that they came to him for advice. It is very flattering that he was paid so much.

Does he see this as a reasonable rate of compensation for what he did?

[Kristian Firth]

Mr. Speaker, again, in the testimony, they were quoting hours towards ArriveCAN. We had 22 other departments and 20 other contracts we were working on at the same time. It is impossible for me to spend 250 hours on one contract when I have to service and maintain other projects with other clients.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, is the witness involved with any other companies?

[Kristian Firth]

Mr. Speaker, just my holdco, which is the 50% owner of GC Strategies.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, what is that holdco, and does it do business with the Government of Canada?

[Kristian Firth]

Mr. Speaker, my holdco is a numbered company that was used to register the name GC Strategies.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, does it do business with the Government of Canada directly?

[Kristian Firth]

Mr. Speaker, it does not.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the witness discussed the health of contracts outside the office with Paul Girard, Treasury Board CIO.

Did he discuss replacing resources or increasing resources at that time?

[Kristian Firth]

Mr. Speaker, I have had many conversations with Paul Girard. I cannot remember every single one of them.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, did he discuss new contracts? Since he claims to be unable to answer that question, will he respond to it in writing as well?

[Kristian Firth]

Mr. Speaker, sorry, I thought I did answer the question.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I am going to ask the hon. member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan to rephrase the question.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in meetings outside the office with Paul Girard, did they discuss replacing resources or increasing resources? Did they discuss new contracts? If the witness is unable to answer that question, will he provide a response in writing?

[Kristian Firth]

Mr. Speaker, I will respond in writing. I do not have every conversation with Mr. Girard catalogued.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the witness said earlier that he had altered two resumés, but only after contracts were awarded. Is that correct?

[Kristian Firth]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think I said that earlier.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure he said that. I was there, I heard him. I do not understand why he is claiming that he did not say it.

Earlier, a Conservative asked him if he had altered two resumés and he said yes, but after he was awarded contracts. Did I mishear that?

[Kristian Firth]

Mr. Speaker, I did not say I doctored two résumés. I said that the business was already won. I did not amend any résumés to win any contracts, and the résumés were for a task authorization that was already won business.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, so he did not say that he altered the resumés after the contracts were awarded?

[Kristian Firth]

Mr. Speaker, I have never amended a contract.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the witness told us earlier that public servants received all kinds of compensation, but only after contracts were awarded. That is what he told us.