One of three proposals that Rahim Jaffer's business partner purportedly showed MPs was for a green technology firm that Jaffer had been associated with, CTV News has learned.
It asked Ottawa for $100 million for Green Rite Solutions, the sales arm of Wright Tech Systems, which offers environmentally friendly waste management technology.
It's the same company that Jaffer's wife, former cabinet minister Helena Guergis, wrote a letter of support for to a municipal politician in her riding. In a statement last week, Guergis said that she had previously looked into any potential links between the company and her husband, but became satisfied that no real link existed.
On Wednesday, Jaffer and his partner, Patrick Glemaud, denied allegations of improper lobbying on Parliament Hill.
Under questioning from members of the Standing Committee on Government Operations, both Jaffer and Glemaud said they have not registered as lobbyists with the federal government because they have never received funds from any client for lobbying work.
The two men are partners in Green Power Generation Corp., a company that promotes sustainable technologies and renewable energy products.
Jaffer denied discussing his business in meetings he took with ministers, MPs and senators, saying he often told them about his new career only as a means of catching up with friends.
But when asked about a document submitted to Brian Jean, parliamentary secretary to Transport Minister John Baird, on behalf of three companies, Glemaud called it an "executive summary" to determine if there was interest in learning more about the companies.
"If there was an interest then there would be a request to submit a detailed business plan with all the details of the project," Glemaud said. "And that would be viewed as the actual grant or contribution agreement application, and that's when lobbying would start. We didn't get to that stage."
"Our understanding is if we were in a position to be at that stage, then I would have to decide for myself to register as a lobbyist," Glemaud added.
When Liberal MP Siobhan Coady asked for the names of the three companies mentioned in the executive summary -- one of them now revealed to be Wright Tech Systems -- Glemaud said he could not remember their names. Jaffer said he recused himself from that particular order of business because it may have given the impression of a conflict of interest.
Committee chair Yasmin Ratansi requested that Glemaud supply the committee with the names of the companies or risk being in contempt of Parliament.
'Making us look bad'
While some MPs kept a neutral tone during questioning, NDP MP Pat Martin came out swinging, telling Jaffer bluntly that "you are making us all look bad."
Martin, who had tried to scuttle the proceedings over concerns that they would compromise any investigations by police or the federal lobbying commissioner, accused Jaffer of influence peddling, "a serious criminal offence. Influence peddling undermines the most fundamental, basic tenets of our democracy."
Jaffer replied: "You're setting a new ethical standard right now because you have no evidence of anything and yet you're throwing out these allegations."
Later, during a second round of testy questions from Martin, Jaffer replied: "I find it ironic that the one member who said he didn't want to turn this committee into a circus has now turned it into one."
In an opening statement to the committee, Jaffer said his company has not engaged in improper lobbying on Parliament Hill and has not secured grants or other funds from the Canadian government.
Jaffer questioned why he and Glemaud were called as witnesses as the committee probes their business dealings.
"Initially, when our names appeared as witnesses, I found it unusual that the committee wanted to speak to us, as our business does not conduct any lobbying activities, nor do we attempt to obtain any public funding for our work," Jaffer said.
"Then it became clear from the vicious attacks from media sources and in particular the opposition parties, that the reason we were being hauled in front of this committee was due to second-hand allegations, rumour and innuendo."
On April 28, two Toronto businessmen -- Nazim Gillani and former CFL player Mike Mihelic -- are scheduled to speak to the committee about Jaffer's and Glemaud's business dealings.
A report in the Toronto Star on April 8 detailed a meeting that involved Gillani, Mihelic and Jaffer, as well as other business associates last September.
According to the Star account, the men discussed means of obtaining government funds for business projects and access to a "green fund" was allegedly brought up at the meeting.
The next day, Gillani sent out an e-mail suggesting Jaffer had "opened up the Prime Minister's Office to us," a suggestion that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office later shot down as being "absurd."
During his opening statement, Glemaud also questioned the proceedings but said he agreed to appear "to defend my good name and reputation against allegations and innuendo that are completely untrue in law and in fact."
"If this committee will be relying on statements from Kevin Donovan from the Toronto Star, I think you're starting on the wrong direction," Glemaud added moments later. "These are allegations and innuendo."
According to Jaffer, he and Glemaud quickly realized after the September meeting that there was "no synergy" between their business and Gillani's and decided they would not continue working with him.
Jaffer apologizes to wife, MPs
During his statement, Jaffer apologized to his wife, Conservative MP Helena Guergis, who was booted from cabinet and caucus after the April 8 Star report. At the time, the prime minister announced that "serious allegations" about her conduct had been relayed to his office.
Guergis is now sitting outside of the Conservative caucus pending a resolution to the matter.
"She's the most important person in my life," Jaffer said, "and I love her dearly, and it was very unfortunate that her good name has been dragged into my problems unfairly."
Jaffer also apologized "to my former colleagues for the trouble this whole episode has caused them."
During his statement, Jaffer questioned the necessity of the committee investigation, saying allegations of improper lobbying should be dealt with by the federal lobbying commissioner.
"For the record, the facts of this case are as follows," Jaffer said Wednesday. "One, GPG and its directors have not received any money from any grant, contribution or other financial benefit or on behalf of the government of Canada.
"GPG and its directors, number two, have not received any compensation or payments on behalf of any person or organization to undertake any lobbying activities."
Jaffer denies drug use
The Toronto meeting detailed in the April 8 Star report took place a few hours before Jaffer was arrested in Palgrave, Ont., and charged with cocaine possession and driving under the influence. Though those charges were later dropped, Jaffer pleaded guilty to careless driving in an Orangeville, Ont., court earlier this year.
Jaffer said in his statement he has "never partaken in any illegal substance" and does not condone such behaviour.
He did acknowledge "poor judgement" on that evening.
"I was careless, I had a few drinks and I should have never tried to operate a motor vehicle," Jaffer told the committee.
With a report by CTV Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife
