National

Consul general reiterates he had no influence on $9M Manhattan condo purchase

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Nov, 2024 11:31 AM

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.

Tom Clark was summoned back to testify before a parliamentary committee looking into the purchase after media reports earlier this month indicated 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 — again — the observations he raised were made in passing to a colleague, and he was unaware those remarks had been reported to the department.

Clark said those remarks were in no way intended to influence the process, which began in 2014.

The government has previously said the purchase of the new residence would save taxpayers about $7.4 million.

The previous residence, listed at $13 million, has yet to be sold.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Fatal rollover crash on Hwy 99

Mounties in Surrey say they are investigating a fiery overnight crash that killed two people and caused a partial shutdown of Highway 99. Mounties say they closed the road between 16th Avenue and 32nd Avenue northbound and are asking people to use alternate routes.

Fatal rollover crash on Hwy 99

B.C. nursing student attacked with knife during first clinical placement: union

The Vancouver Police Department said officers responded to the scene around 9 a.m. following reports of an assault inside the hospital, which left the 37-year-old victim with non-life-threatening injuries. Vancouver police spokesman Sgt. Steve Addison said a 48-year-old man, who was a patient at the hospital, was arrested.

B.C. nursing student attacked with knife during first clinical placement: union

B.C. charities worried Canada Post strike will affect fundraising efforts

Some B.C. charities and not-for-profits said they are worried the Canada Post strike will jeopardize their year-end fundraising efforts. Nicole Mucci, a spokeswoman for Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, said 50 per cent of the organization's revenue normally comes between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and a mail strike at this time of the year is "detrimental" since so many donations come in the mail.

B.C. charities worried Canada Post strike will affect fundraising efforts

Trudeau says he could have acted faster on immigration changes, blames 'bad actors'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government could have acted faster on reining in immigration programs, after blaming "bad actors" for gaming the system. Trudeau released a nearly seven-minute video on YouTube Sunday talking about the recent reduction in permanent residents being admitted to Canada and changes to the temporary foreign worker program.

Trudeau says he could have acted faster on immigration changes, blames 'bad actors'

2 bystanders pepper-sprayed in Metrotown

Mounties in Burnaby say two innocent bystanders were reportedly pepper-sprayed by four teenagers in Burnaby over the weekend. Corporal Mike Kalanj with Burnaby R-C-M-P says officers responded to reports of the assault inside the Metrotown shopping centre on Saturday evening.

2 bystanders pepper-sprayed in Metrotown

Canadians generally optimistic about human rights, despite challenges: poll

Two-thirds of Canadians are optimistic about where human rights are headed in this country, but there is growing pessimism about the state of rights abroad, a new survey found. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg released its second survey on the topic as it seeks to ensure its exhibits match Canadians' concerns.