From left, Central Park Tower, One57, Steinway Tower and the MoMA Expansion Tower tower over the skyline south of Central Park in the Manhattan borough of New York City in February, 2021.Ted Shaffrey/The Canadian Press
Canada’s consul general in New York City had no role in the decision to purchase a new $9-million condo in Manhattan for the diplomatic operation’s use, senior public servants have told a Commons committee hearing.
Former broadcaster Tom Clark, appointed to the post in 2023, has been in the spotlight over the controversy spurred by the acquisition of the new property, which will replace an apartment residence purchased in 1961.
But Stéphane Cousineau, a senior assistant deputy minister at Global Affairs Canada, told Wednesday’s hearing of the government operations and estimates committee that the consul general was not involved in the process.
“There was no influence from Mr. Clark. He was not involved in the consultation or decision process,” Mr. Cousineau said.
Later, Robert McCubbing, deputy consul general, said Mr. Clark was aware there was a continuing process to find a new official residence. He said Mr. Clark never spoke to him about selling the old residence or the suitability of the new residence.
Wednesday’s committee hearing saw Global Affairs officials elaborate on the purchase of the condo, with Mr. Cousineau saying the purchase was needed for the consular operation, which he said provides essential services to about 300,000 Canadians living in the financial capital of Canada’s most important trading partner, as well as thousands of visiting Canadians.
“The residence in New York City is more than just a place of residence. It is an essential venue for hosting key interlocutors in smaller, more personal, settings,” he said.
“Federal, provincial and territorial representatives frequently use this space to engage with partners to advance Canada’s interests. While this residence, and others like it, are used as living quarters by our head of mission, their primary function is as a government worksite where important diplomatic events and business meetings are conducted.”
Over the last two years, he said 50 official functions have been conducted at the consul general’s residence.
Global Affairs Canada has said it is selling the former Manhattan residence, acquired in 1961, with the property listed at over $13-million.
The property was purchased in 1961, last renovated in 1982, and required updates to the electrical, heating, ventilation and plumbing. It did not meet Canadian standards for accessibility, according to Global Affairs Canada, adding that new renovations would have cost $2.6-million.
To find a new residence, Global Affairs says it worked with a local broker and viewed 21 different residences in seven different neighbourhoods, ranging in price between $8-million and $21-million.
Robin Dubeau, an acting associate deputy minister, said the imperative to move included restrictions imposed by the co-op board at the original residence that limited its use for social functions, as well as the fact that the unit was aging and lacked accessibility.
Federal Conservatives have cast Mr. Clark as a close associate of the Prime Minister, with Conservative ethics critic Michael Barrett repeatedly describing him Wednesday as a “media buddy” of Mr. Trudeau.
The Conservatives have raised questions about the propriety of acquiring the property at a time when Canadians are facing economic and affordable-housing challenges. On Wednesday, Conservatives questioned whether social functions organized by the consular office could be carried out in its official offices.
Asked by The Globe and Mail whether a Conservative government would sell off the condo to find a cheaper option, Sebastian Skamski, media relations director in Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s office, issued a statement on behalf of Mr. Barrett that did not answer the question.
Other Conservative members of the committee contacted by e-mail did not respond.