Tory MPs are calling for New York Consul General Tom Clark to appear again before a parliamentary committee following the release of documents showing he raised concerns about the suitability of his official residence in the city.
Since the $9 million purchase of a new luxury apartment became public in July, the purchase has been criticized by opposition members as too extravagant given the cost of living challenges facing Canadians.
Lawmakers have been investigating the deal for months. They spoke with real estate experts, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) staff and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, who appeared before the committee on Tuesday.
The committee has heard that the apartment, which will be the new official residence of the Canadian consul general in New York, will cost 50 per cent less to operate annually and cost $4 million less than the former residence, which was recently put up for sale. .
Clark says ‘unit was not appropriate’: GAC document
When Clark appeared in court in September, he said he had “no role in the decision to sell the old home or buy the new home,” and that all decisions were “completely made by Ottawa.” It was carried out by the Real Estate Department.”
After GAC’s Senior Assistant Secretary Stéphane Cousineau told MPs that the decision to purchase the new office was “in accordance with policy, well documented and free from any influence, including by Mr Clark”. , Mr. Clark appeared before the committee.
Those statements appear to contradict a Politico report released Tuesday that cited a May 2023 GAC document obtained through the Access to Information Act.
“the current [consul general of New York] …expressed concerns regarding the completion of the kitchen and renovation project and indicated that the unit was not suitable for the kitchen [the consul’s] Accommodations,” the document, seen by CBC News, says.
The document also notes that the current consul noted that the former residence did not have an “ideal floor plan” for “representative activities.” Mr. Clark became Consul General in New York in February 2023.
Conservative members of the committee tabled a motion to have Mr Clark appear again to answer questions about the May 2023 document. The committee hearing was adjourned before a vote could be taken. Discussion on the motion is expected to resume at the next committee meeting.
Mr. Jolie said on the same day that he was not involved in the decision to purchase the new Manhattan residence and that he only learned about the purchase from media reports.
Ms. Jolie did not have to consent to the purchase because Treasury Board rules require her approval only when buying a home for more than $10 million.
GAC officials said the old Park Avenue apartment building was purchased in 1961 and last renovated in 1982, and was in need of updating.
The ministry said it would cost $2.6 million to modernize the old apartment complex to meet current accessibility and building standards. Officials also told the commission that the Park Avenue mansion’s condominium board was dissatisfied with official business conducted at the apartment.
GAC officials told the commission in August that the decision to buy the new homes would save taxpayers more than $7 million in taxes over the life of the units due to lower purchase prices and lower operating costs. Ta.
CBC News has reached out to Clark’s office in New York, but has not yet received a response.
GAC told CBC News that the process to replace New York’s official residence began in 2014, and as part of a regular consultation process, “the mission provided input on whether the Park Avenue official residence was suitable for operation.” Ta.
“However, this opinion did not influence the final decision to relocate the residence.”
