Sale of envoy's NYC condo 'expected to exceed' $9M: government
CTV
The current official residence for Canada's representative in New York City is 'being readied for sale,' according to a spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada.
A parliamentary committee is calling on Canada’s consul general in New York City to justify the government’s decision to buy a $9-million condo in Manhattan's famous "Billionaires’ Row," while officials say they’re already preparing to sell the envoy’s existing official residence to offset the cost of the new purchase.
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has confirmed to CTV News the current residence is being “readied for sale,” and the revenue of that sale will offset the cost of purchasing the new $9-milion condo, which drew heavy criticism last week for its hefty price tag.
Meanwhile, former journalist and Consul General Tom Clark, the deputy minister of foreign affairs, as well as other departmental officials, have been summoned to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates to justify the government’s purchase of new unit just south of Central Park.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly will also be called if the committee deems it necessary.
In tabling the motion to call Clark and other government officials, Conservative MP Kelly Block called the purchase of the condo “disturbing but not surprising,” later adding, “We have seen the complete lack of spending controls on major procurements” with the Liberal government.
Last week, GAC confirmed the department had purchased a unit in the Steinway Tower, located at 111 West 57th St. The condo will be used for “networking receptions, official briefings, and hospitality events such as discussions with business and political leaders,” GAC spokesperson Jean-Pierre Godbout wrote in an email last week.
In a new statement to CTV News on Wednesday, Godbout wrote the current residence, located in Manhattan's Upper East Side neighbourhood, "is expected to exceed the purchase price of the new unit."
