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OGGO Committee Meeting

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Minutes of Proceedings

Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO)
44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 108
Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 11:03 a.m. to 2:32 p.m.
Televised
Presiding
Kelly McCauley, Chair (Conservative)

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• Michael Barrett for Stephanie Kusie (Conservative)
• Gérard Deltell (Conservative)
Library of Parliament
• Olivier Leblanc-Laurendeau, Analyst
• Ryan van den Berg, Analyst
As an individual
• Brent Timmons, Legal Adviser
ArriveCAN Application
GC Strategies
• Kristian Firth, Partner
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(c) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, October 17, 2022, the committee resumed its study of the ArriveCAN application.

It was agreed, — That the evidence to be given by Kristian Firth in relation to the study of the ArriveCAN application be taken under oath or by solemn affirmation.

Kristian Firth, duly sworn in, made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:06 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:17 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Questioning of the witness resumed.

At 1:20 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 1:29 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Questioning of the witness resumed.

On motion of Irek Kusmierczyk, it was agreed, — That the committee invite the Competition Bureau Commissioner to appear for two hours on government procurement processes and address issues of competition, fair bidding, bid rigging and how tendering authorities can protect the competitive bidding process.

Questioning of the witness resumed.

On motion of Taylor Bachrach, it was agreed, — That, in light of the recent finding that Dalian Enterprises received $7.9 million in funding for its work on ArriveCAN, while CEO David Yeo was an employee of the Department of National Defence, the committee call on Mr. Yeo as well as the following senior officials from the Department of National Defense: Minister of National Defence, Bill Blair, Deputy Minister of National Defence, Bill Matthews, Associate Deputy Minister (Material), Troy Crosby, and Assistant Deputy Minister Human Resources, Isabelle Desmartis, to appear before the committee no later than Monday, April 1, 2024, for no less than two hours of testimony.

Questioning of the witness resumed.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

A question of privilege having been raised by Garnett Genuis, regarding the refusal of the witness to answer questions put to him by the committee, the Chair ruled that the matter relates to privilege.

ORDERED, — That the committee instruct the clerk and analysts to prepare a report to the House, which the Chair shall table forthwith, outlining the potential breach of privilege concerning Kristian Firth’s refusal to answer those questions which the committee agreed to put to him and his prevarication in answering others.

At 2:32 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Thomas Bigelow
Committee clerk