Tom Clark, Canada’s consul-general in New York, has agreed to appear before a Commons committee looking into the purchase of a $9-million condo as his official residence.
The purchase has drawn the ire of the Official Opposition federal Conservatives, who have deemed it a waste of money.
However, Global Affairs Canada has said the government will make $13-million from the sale of the Manhattan residence that has housed the consul-general since it was purchased in 1961.
Meanwhile, senior Global Affairs officials told a recent hearing of the government operations and estimates committee that Mr. Clark was not involved in the search for the new property, decisions to seek it or negotiations to secure it.
As Tuesday’s hearing began, committee chair Kelly McCauley, a Conservative, told the proceedings that Mr. Clark would appear on Sept. 4 or Sept. 12 or later.
It would mark Mr. Clark’s first public remarks on the purchase of the property.
Conservative MP Michael Barrett, a committee member, said there have been inconsistencies in whether or not Mr. Clark would appear before the committee, but if he does not show up, he must be summoned to appear.
Mr. Barrett described Mr. Clark, a former journalist who was appointed to the diplomatic post in 2023, as a “member of the Liberal elite.” Previously, Mr. Clark moderated a debate in 2022 for contenders in the race to lead the federal Conservatives. Pierre Poilievre eventually won the job.
Despite a question from The Globe and Mail, the office of Mr. Poilievre has not said if Conservatives would sell the property to seek a cheaper option were they to win power.
Also on Tuesday, a real estate agent involved with the purchase of the new residence, who appeared before the committee virtually from New York, says the property was bought at 40 per cent below the asking price.
Thomas Aabo, a real estate agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate, described the purchase as a savvy investment procured in a well-run process by a team in Ottawa, noting the deal was 10 per cent off the last asking price.
He said the price of the unit was cut because the sellers realized they were asking too much, calling the cut in costs “fairly unusual.”
Mr. Aabo told the committee he was not aware of any major foreign government that doesn’t have meaningful real estate investments in midtown Manhattan, where the federal government purchased the condo.
He said that in April, his company was awarded a contract and began work to support efforts by Global Affairs Canada to find a new residence for the consul-general. It was paid a 4-per-cent commission by the sellers, he said.
The previous consul-general residence, which Global Affairs Canada has said it is selling, was last renovated in 1982 and required updates to the electrical, heating, ventilation and plumbing systems. It did not meet Canadian standards for accessibility, according to Global Affairs Canada, which added that new renovations would have cost $2.6-million.
The new property is located at 111 West 57th St. in Manhattan, an area referred to as Billionaires’ Row.
Global Affairs has noted that the new property is not just the home of the consul-general, but a venue for gatherings such receptions and hospitality events featuring high-profile figures in New York.
Real estate appraiser Jonathan Miller, president and CEO of Miller Samuel Inc., who appeared before the committee virtually from New York on Tuesday, said that about 95 per cent of the consulates in New York are in the area where Canada bought the property.
He noted there are 136 consulates in New York, and all but seven are located there.