Article content OTTAWA — Canada’s consul general in New York doubled-down Thursday on his past claim that he exerted no influence on the decision of Global Affairs Canada to buy a $9 million condo in Manhattan. Recommended Videos Tom Clark was summoned back to testify before a parliamentary committee looking into the purchase. The decision to recall the former journalist came following media reports earlier this month indicating he had raised concerns about the former residence, despite previously saying he never expressed a desire to move into a new one.
Testifying under oath this time, Clark told MPs the observations he raised were made in passing to a colleague, and he was unaware those remarks had been reported to the department. “Certainly, they were never, ever intended to sway anything,” Clark told MPs. “At no time did I ask that we change residences, and I think that’s an important point.
” NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice pressed Clark on why he was adamant that he never expressed a desire to move, despite making offhand comments regarding deficiencies with the old residence. “I did not talk to anybody about relocating. My comments, casual as they may have been, were directed toward what I had to work with at 550 Park Avenue (the old residence),” Clark said, noting problems with the accessibility of the furniture, and the lack of family space.
“(The lack of family space) is not an uncommon comment for incoming heads of mission to say. It’s a problem wi.
