Property deal under microscope

Committee meets about purchase of condo for consul general in New York

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A House of Commons committee has launched an investigation into the Liberal government’s recent purchase of a $9-million condo in Manhattan.

Senior public servants have been called to a House of Commons committee to explain the government’s decision to buy a $9-million condo for the consul general in New York.

Conservative MP Michael Barrett called the residence “excessive” and “opulent,” and questioned why the procurement minister was not made aware of the purchase.

“Was this purchase, in the context that I mentioned about the cost-ofliving crisis that Canadians are facing, was this flagged for the minister?” he asked.

Amelie Bouchard, the acting chief appraiser of Canada, said she was the most senior official in the Procurement Department to sign off on the purchase but noted her role is to appraise a given property.

The government is selling its old Manhattan residence, which it has listed for $13 million, a move that Global Affairs says will actually save the government money.