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

By Nick Murray, The Canadian Press on November 21, 2024.

Tom Clark, Consul General of Canada in New York, United States, 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 Tuesday, May 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA – 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.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024.

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