RCMP Conducts Raid on GC Strategies’ Firth’s Home Ahead of Scheduled Parliamentary Testimony
The RCMP conducted a search warrant at the residence of GC Strategies Managing Partner Kristian Firth a day prior to his admonishment by the Speaker of the House of Commons for his refusal to respond to questions from a government committee regarding the controversial ArriveCan app.
The RCMP’s Sensitive and International Investigations unit executed a search warrant at Mr. Firth’s home in Woodlawn, Ont., on April 16. The RCMP clarified to The Epoch Times that the search warrant was unrelated to the ArriveCan probe.
“As the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been laid yet, no further details will be disclosed,” they stated.
In a rarely used move, the House of Commons summoned Mr. Firth to be admonished by House Speaker Greg Fergus on April 17 and compelled him to answer MPs’ queries “before the bar.” The Speaker emphasized the House’s duty to uphold MPs’ privileges when violated, as was the case with Mr. Firth’s refusal to respond to ArriveCan questions by the government operations committee.
The $59.5 million ArriveCan app, utilized to monitor travelers’ COVID-19 vaccination status during the pandemic, was found by the auditor general in February not to have provided value for the taxpayer money spent. The audit also detected inadequate record-keeping during the app’s development, leading to uncertainty about the total cost.
Despite receiving an estimated $19.1 million for their work on the app, Mr. Firth and his partner Darren Anthony defied two summons to testify before the government operations committee. In February, committee members voted that the men must testify or face arrest by the House of Commons’ sergeant-at-arms.
During subsequent committee hearings in March, Mr. Firth declined to answer several questions from MPs, citing the ongoing RCMP investigation as the reason for non-compliance, despite confirming no contact from the force regarding the app.
Changing Resumes
At the commencement of his House of Commons questioning on April 17, Mr. Firth mentioned his doctor’s advice to avoid stressful activities due to mental health issues necessitating medication and therapy.
Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon stressed the importance of upholding the House’s dignity and respecting Mr. Firth’s doctor’s recommendation, despite the government’s interest in ArriveCan answers. The Liberals refrained from further questioning.
Under Conservative questioning, Mr. Firth divulged that the RCMP executed a search warrant to secure electronic devices related to allegations by Botler AI, a tech firm not involved in ArriveCan but contracted through GC Strategies for another project. Mr. Firth admitted to inadvertent resume adjustments submitted to the government when questioned about Botler’s fraud claims.
Mr. Firth denied intentionally inflating resumes or committing fraud, expressing confidence in the RCMP’s investigation exonerating him. He informed Conservative MP Michael Barrett that the government had not requested repayment for ArriveCan.
Firth Accused of Lying to Committee
MP Taylor Bachrach interrogated Mr. Firth on discrepancies regarding past communications with government officials, to which Mr. Firth later provided documentation verifying his meetings at Ottawa establishments. Mr. Firth clarified he didn’t mislead but maintained he hadn’t provided a “fake answer.”
When quizzed about collaborating with government officials on ArriveCan criteria, Mr. Firth avoided a direct response. He did admit conversing with Canada Border Services Agency personnel on the contracts.
MP Luc Berthold asked Mr. Firth if he had not lied to the committee previously. Mr. Firth acknowledged past mistakes and indicated acceptance of his current admonishment.
