Tom Clark, Mélanie Joly not involved in purchase of $9M NY condo, committee told

Canada's foreign affairs minister and the consul general in New York did not influence or direct the purchase of a luxury $9 million residence in the city, a Commons committee was told Wednesday.

MPs also heard that the property, which will serve as the official residence for the consul general of Canada in New York, is 50 per cent cheaper to run annually and cost $4 million Cdn less than the old residence, which recently was listed for sale.

MPs on the government operations and estimates committee also heard that, unlike the previous residence, the new condo meets accessibility standards, does not require renovation and comes with fewer restrictions on the types of events it can host.

Since the purchase became public in July, it has been criticized by opposition MPs as overly lavish in light of the cost of living challenges facing Canadians at home.

Conservative MPs suggested Wednesday that the purchase was made to provide a perk to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's «media buddy,» veteran broadcaster Tom Clark, who now serves as consul general.

Multiple officials denied that charge Wednesday.

«This was a smart acquisition. This was actually a process that was sound, policy compliant, well-documented and exempt from any influence, including from Mr. Clark,» Stéphane Cousineau, senior assistant deputy minister at Global Affairs Canada (GAC), told MPs.

Cousineau and other senior officials from GAC said that Clark, who served as the moderator for the most recent Conservative Party leadership debate, did not offer advice or have any role in the purchase of the new residence. They also said he was not made aware of the apartments GAC was considering.

Clark is expected to appear before the committee next week.

MPs also heard that the