Email Mischaracterized Consul General’s Approval of $9M New York Condo Purchase, Global Affairs Official Says

Tom Clark, Consul General of Canada in New York, listens in as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talks to the media at the Service Employees International Union's (SEIU) Quadrennial North American Convention In Philadelphia on May 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

An email alleging that Canada’s consul general in New York was involved in the purchase of a $9 million luxury apartment in the city was improperly worded, a Global Affairs official told MPs on the government operations committee.

The committee has been investigating the federal government’s decision to sell the original New York residence that formerly housed its consul general to purchase a $9 million Manhattan condo in an area of the city known as “Billionaire’s Row.” Conservative MPs have argued the purchase was inappropriate at a time when Canadians are facing a cost-of-living crisis, and have questioned whether Consul General Tom Clark was involved in the purchase.

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) official Emily Nicholson told the committee on Oct. 3 that when she wrote a June 17 email for the minister’s office summarizing the sale of the old official residence for the consul general, she did so in a way that was not clear. The summary stated that Clark and the consulate staff had been “instrumental throughout this process” and that Clark had given “the greenlight for the selection of the new residence.”

Nicholson said she had failed to differentiate between the role of the mission employees and Clark, and her use of the word “greenlight” was intended to say that Clark was merely “aware of and prepared to deal with the hassle of moving part way through his assignment.”

“The email did not state that the consul general was involved in the decision-making process, exercised influence, or signed for any transactions related to the process,” Nicholson said. “In hindsight, more precise language could have been used to avoid any misunderstanding.”

Clark previously testified before the government operations committee on Sept. 12, saying he had “no role whatsoever” in deciding to sell the old residence, buy the new one, or decide on its location or amenities. Global Affairs Canada has said the previous residence would have required millions in upgrades and maintenance costs, and by listing it for sale for $13 million, the government achieved $7.4 million in savings for taxpayers.

MPs Express Disbelief

Nicholson told the committee that after sending the first “quick” summary email on June 17, she sent another email on July 25 that gave a more detailed account of the process of purchasing the condo.

Conservative MP Michael Barrett said it was “beyond curious” that Nicholson sent the second email a day after the government operations committee voted to conduct hearings on the purchase of the condo.

“Did you do this entirely of your own undertaking, without discussion, consultation, or instruction with anyone?” Barrett asked.

In her response, Nicholson said “no one asked me to correct anything.”

“I relayed the best available information that was presented to me at the time,” she said.

NDP MP Taylor Bachrach said Nicholson’s testimony was “somewhat unbelievable,” saying she had characterized Clark’s role in the condo purchase “in a very specific” manner.

“You have to forgive people who think that the most likely explanation is the simplest one, which is that actually the language you used in the June 17 email... was an accurate reflection of [Clark’s] role in the process.”

Bloc Québécois MP Julie Vignola said the testimony gave her the impression that Nicholson was covering up for someone. “I need to ask you the question, are you covering for someone?” she asked.

“If we could go back in time, we would write the email differently, and make it more clear. But the information that I’ve provided to you and all the testimony that I’ve given to you is accurate,” Nicholson said.