Newly obtained documents dispute Consul General Tom Clark’s claim that he was uninvolved in the Liberal government’s decision to buy a new $9 million condo in Manhattan’s Billionaire’s Row.
According to documents obtained by Politico through an access-to-information request, Clark raised concerns about the original New York residence within two months of his appointment. The documents show Clark saying that the old apartment was “not suitable” for “hosting events” or as a residence and that it required “immediate replacement.”
While Global Affairs Canada insists that these concerns “did not influence the final decision to relocate,” the Conservatives have launched a House of Commons committee study into the purchase in July.
“The NDP-Liberal Government only decided to purchase a $9 million luxury condo on Billionaires’ Row in New York City after Trudeau’s close friend and media buddy, Tom Clark, complained that his old apartment was uninhabitable,” reads a statement from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s Office on Tuesday.
“This proves that Tom Clark lied in his testimony at a House of Commons’ Committee, after previously telling Canadians that he was not involved in the decision to purchase the new luxury condo.”
Conservative MP Michael Barrett accused Clark of lying during his appearance before the Standing Committee on Government Spending and Operations on Tuesday.
“We know that he personally complained that his taxpayer-funded residence wasn’t up to his standards because it didn’t have a luxury kitchen or the perfect floor plan, said Barrett. “And after Tom Clark complained, Justin Trudeau rewarded his friend and media pal with a new luxury condo at four times the cost to taxpayers.”
“To Canadains who are watching, Justin Trudeau and Tom Clark fleeced the taxpayers and they tried to cover it up,” he added.
Barrett then asked Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly if she thought it was appropriate for Trudeau to award a personal friend with such a “flagrant waste of tax dollars” amid the cost of living crisis that many Canadians are facing.
Joly responded by saying that she thought “Canadians are getting good value for their money because there will be $7 million dollars in Canadian taxpayer-savings.”
She went on to say that the “process” required to make such a purchase “was respected at all times” and that this is a very crucial time for Canada to make its presence known in the United States as the country undergoes an election.
Global Affairs Canada claims that the decision to buy a new condo first began in 2014, under former prime minister Stephen Harper and was not influenced by Clark’s complaints.
However, the Conservatives say the initial plan was to refurbish the old apartment, which would have cost taxpayers less than the $9 million purchase of a new condo, arguing that Clark was “instrumental” in the decision to purchase the property.
“As a result of this decision, Justin Trudeau effectively quadrupled the cost to taxpayers by buying a new luxury condo for $9 million instead of completing repairs which were already underway,” reads the statement from Poilievre’s office.
“Worse still, the decision to purchase this lavish condo only occurred after Justin Trudeau visited Tom Clark in New York City,” it continued. “While Canadians cope with Trudeau’s housing hell, well-connected Liberals have never had things so good.”