Canada’s consul general in NY to appear before Commons committee to justify $9-million condo purchase
Canada’s consul general in New York is among the witnesses being called before a Commons committee reviewing plans by the Liberal government to spend $9-million on a Manhattan condo for the diplomat.
On Wednesday, the government operations and estimates committee agreed to a motion to request testimony from consul general Tom Clark, a former broadcaster, along with the deputy minister of Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Treasury Board representatives and a panel of New York real estate agents.
There’s also a provision to call Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly if her testimony is deemed necessary after the appearances of other witnesses. Committee meetings on the issue are set to be held between Aug. 19 and 27.
Questions have been raised about the exorbitant cost of the three-bedroom apartment purchased earlier this summer, which GAC has said will be the consul general’s official residence as well as a location for receptions, briefings and hosting discussions with business and political leaders. The department has said it opted to relocate rather than spend on renovating the long-owned existing residence.
The New York Post reported earlier this month that the newly purchased residence on West 57th Street in Manhattan is located in an expensive area called Billionaires’ Row.
GAC did not respond to requests for comment about Wednesday’s committee meeting.
The motion was advanced by Conservative MP Kelly Block, who said the issue is consistent with lack of spending controls by the federal government on such projects as the ArriveCan application for cross-border travellers. That project had an initial cost of about $80,000 but ended up costing at least $54-million.
However, Liberal MP Ron McKinnon took issue with suggestions the condo is an expense, noting it’s an asset that can be liquidated.
“It is owned by the Government of Canada. It can be sold at some point and presumably the value recaptured,” he said.
Bloc Québécois MP Julie Vignola told the committee hearing that she agreed with the sentiments inherent in Ms. Block’s motion.
“We agree that $9-million for a New York condo for the consul general needs to be examined,” Ms. Vignola said.
In a statement on the consul general’s residence issued earlier this month, GAC spokesperson Sabrina Williams said the new residence is replacing a property purchased in 1961, and last refurbished in 1982.
“Considering the high renovation costs for the current residence and the value of the property, Global Affairs Canada recommended a relocation to a new, smaller, more suitable, and more economical apartment,” she said in a statement.
GAC estimates this move will save Canadian taxpayers more than $2-million and result in lower continuing maintenance costs and property taxes, Ms. Williams said.
This article was first reported by The Globe and Mail
