The RCMP confirmed it executed a search warrant of the office of an ArriveCan app contractor on Tuesday as a partner with GC Strategies was brought before the House of Commons to answer questions from MPs on the scandal.
The police agency did not name the company, however the search was conducted at a location formerly listed as a GC Strategies’ mailing address in Woodlawn, Ont. An RCMP spokesperson said the search was not connected to the ongoing investigation into ArriveCan.
GC Strategies partner Kristian Firth was brought before the House of Commons to answer questions from MPs on Tuesday, marking the first time such a measure has taken place since 1913.
Conservative MP Michael Barrett had asked Firth to confirm if his office had been searched by the RCMP. He responded that it had, but that the search was in relation to allegations made by Botler AI, an IT firm not connected to the ArriveCan contract.
Botler co-founder Amir Morv raised concerns with the government about his resume being altered by GC Strategies without his consent for bids in other contracts. Morv claimed that GC Strategies may be practicing “ghost contracting.” a scheme which involves billing the government for work done by subcontractors that may not have actually taken place.
These allegations were denied by Firth on Wednesday, who said he is prepared for the RCMP investigation which he believes will prove GC Strategies’ innocence.
“We believe it’s going to exonerate us,” Firth told the House on Wednesday.
Firth was unanimously found in contempt of Parliament by MPs for his refusal to answer questions before the House government operations last month and brought in for a second appearance to answer follow-up questions.
In a rare occurrence, Firth will receive an admonishment from the Speaker. Only three people have been admonished by the Speaker since 1990.
The auditor general released a report that the ArriveCan project cost an estimated $60 million, in part due to the government’s heavy use of contractors like GC Strategies. The report also noted that GC Strategies was involved in developing the requirements for the contract.
Canada’s procurement ombudsman also released a report which found that the contract criteria were “overly restrictive” in a way that “heavily favoured” GC Strategies.
In his first committee appearance, Firth was repeatedly asked which government officials he had been working with to develop the ArriveCan contract, valued at $25 million and ultimately awarded to GC Strategies.
Firth evaded those questions on the basis that there was an ongoing RCMP investigation into ArriveCan, despite receiving no instructions from the RCMP to remain silent on the issue.
