The House of Commons committee was told by Canada’s consul general in New York that he was not involved in the purchase of the country’s new official residence in New York City. He also mentioned that he does not know when he will be moving in. Former CTV journalist Tom Clark testified before the committee that the decision to buy a $9 million condo on Billionaires’ Row in Manhattan was made by the property bureau in Ottawa and he had no role in it. Senior government officials confirmed that the old residence needed renovations worth millions of dollars, making the purchase of a new residence a more financially sensible option. Global Affairs Canada is in the process of selling the old apartment, which was bought in 1961 and last renovated in 1982.
The committee members from the Conservative party criticized the purchase, calling it wasteful and opulent, and claimed it showed a lack of understanding of the struggles faced by everyday Canadians. Documents revealed that concerns about the old residence were raised in 2014, and a $1.8 million renovation was approved in 2021. However, due to the pandemic, the renovation was delayed and the costs escalated to $2.6 million. Despite the renovation, the apartment still did not comply with accessibility legislation and had issues with the separation between family and workspace.
During the committee meeting, Clark denied claims that he requested a new residence following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit, stating that he was not involved in the decision-making process. He also clarified that he pays $1,800 a month for his current residence. Conservative MPs accused Clark of lying, citing an email from Global Affairs that indicated his involvement in the purchase decision. Clark refuted the email, and the Conservatives threatened to dismiss him if they win the next election.
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