Canada’s consul general in New York City refuses to speak before a Parliamentary committee regarding the government’s purchase of a $9 million condo in Manhattan’s famous “Billionaire’s Row.”
Tom Clark, a former journalist appointed to represent Canada in New York was summoned to testify before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates last month, along with Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly.
The committee hoped to tackle the issue on Tuesday, however, Clark will not be attending.
“While a record number of Canadians are lining up outside of food banks and giving up on ever being able to afford a home, Trudeau decided to purchase his friend a $9 million condo on Billionaire’s Row in New York City,” said Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s office in a statement.
“After serving as a top ally of Justin Trudeau’s in the Liberal media, Trudeau decided to award Tom Clark by appointing him the Consul General in New York. Then, right as he was appointed, Trudeau decided to increase the limit Global Affairs could spend on property from $4 million to $10 million.”
Conservatives want to have Clark, Joly and other department officials explain the rationale behind the purchase of a new condo south of Central Park at taxpayers’ expense.
Representatives from the Treasury Board and government procurement department, as well as a panel of New York City real estate agents, will also attend the committee.
Global Affairs Canada said that the condo was purchased for “networking receptions, official briefings, and hospitality events such as discussions with business and political leaders.”
However, the Conservatives argue that the decision was made with “zero oversight from the Treasury Board,” alleging that “Trudeau purchased this luxury condo for his friend.”
“This sets a troubling precedent with Trudeau now being allowed to spend vast sums of taxpayer dollars on lavish properties with hardly any transparency,” continued the statement.
“For this reason, Common Sense Conservatives called for Tom Clark to appear before Committee to explain why he needs a $9 million apartment, equipped with Italian marble and a golf simulator, to do his job. Unfortunately, Clark refused to appear, leaving Canadians in the dark.”
A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada told True North that Clark cannot attend the committee due to a scheduling conflict.
“Consul General Clark is unavailable on the date initially proposed. However, he has indicated he is happy to attend, and work is underway with the committee to find an alternate date,” said the spokesperson.
The Conservatives argue that since Clark’s salary is taxpayer-funded, his absence is “not acceptable.”
“It’s clear that Clark knows that there’s absolutely no justification for this ridiculous spending and would rather hide away in his multi-million-dollar New York City apartment,” reads the statement.
Liberal MP Ron McKinnon defended the purchase following its announcement, arguing that it’s an asset which can be liquidated and therefore is not an expense.
“It is owned by the Government of Canada. It can be sold at some point and presumably the value recaptured,” said McKinnon last month.
Critics of the decision like Canadian Taxpayers Federation federal director Franco Terrazzano don’t see it that way, however.
“Spending nine million of our tax dollars on a luxury Manhattan condo is an extravagant waste of Canadians’ money. This is especially insulting with Canadian taxpayers struggling to afford their own rents and mortgages,” Terrazanno told True North.
“If Clark agrees with the government spending $9 million on a luxury condo, then he should be willing to speak at committee. If Clark doesn’t agree with the spending, then he must speak out against it, and the committee would be a perfect time for that.”