OTTAWA — Canada’s consul general in New York Tom Clark’s testimony at a House of Commons committee studying the purchase of a $9 million luxury condo is up in the air after Conservatives say that he pulled out from a planned appearance Tuesday. The party’s ethics critic, Michael Barrett, told the National Post that Clark’s office had agreed to appear at the House of Commons committee on government operations on August 27 to discuss the new official residence but pulled out at the last minute. “There was an eleventh-hour advisory that he wouldn’t be appearing, and that’s why his name doesn’t appear on tomorrow’s notice of meeting,” said Barrett.
“We haven’t been given any reason why,” he added. The government operations committee, known as OGGO, is holding its third meeting to discuss the purchase of the new official residence on Tuesday. For now, only two real estate professionals from New York are set to appear by videoconference.
NDP MP Taylor Bachrach said there were several comments made at their last public meeting that indicated that Clark was expected to appear at their next meeting. “So, I was a bit surprised to see that he wasn’t on the agenda,” said Bachrach. Global Affairs Canada (GAC) said that Clark was unavailable on the date that was initially proposed but plans to speak to the committee at a further date.
“He has indicated he is happy to attend, and work is underway with the committee to find an alternate date,” said GAC s.