“Aren't you ashamed?”: ArriveCAN contractor Firth admonished by MPs

GC Strategies partner Kristian Firth has been reprimanded by the House of Commons over the controversial ArriveCAN app, after refusing to answer many questions from MPs at a previous parliamentary committee.
It is the first time a Canadian private citizen has been ordered to appear before the bar in more than a century.
Mackenzie Gray looks at how MPs grilled Firth and the surprising revelations from what he said.
For more info, please go to globalnews.ca/news/10430105/a...
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[@derek04151]

From the very beginning, he's consistently demonstrated that he has no shame. That's why we're where we are right now.

[@gk4l2e0x8]

Pretty sure what he did is a norm for most contracts out there, that's why he is like what did I do wrong.

[@tedpoplawski4325]

@@gk4l2e0x8Corruption, grift ..it all must end.

[@NP-vk8de]

The Liberals found another scapegoat!😢

[@Samseed]

@@NP-vk8de They're trying to protect him. They wanted to allow him to avoid this because of his "mental health issues". Libs are so crooked.

[@tehabnorm]

@@NP-vk8de no matter the color they all seem to.

[@ryanb3908]

Hahahaha. Imagine being able to say "I'm sad and scared of going to jail so can't answer questions". 🤦🏻

[@joshuasummers7554]

1:48 😂 Dude had balls of steel, first, to question wether he had to even respond, and then to literally say he was not ashamed to steal from the Canadian people... to the governments face lmao Your being willingly ignorant if you believe he has anxiety, or cares at all about mental health 🤣

[@DanSk451]

I feel the stress of admitting to being a scumbag would cause stress so I won’t answer.

[@maximes.6959]

Mental health excuses to get out of every bad situations! So woke

[@HavendaleBlvd80]

Very woke, isn't it?

[@joshuasummers7554]

Not a doubt in my mind he watches Rogan, has a carnivore diet, and probably a benzo issue lmao

[@flopes11]

@@joshuasummers7554 seems more like a msnbc type

[@loudigity0]

​@@joshuasummers7554 you got something against joe the truth seeker

[@ColdBaltBlue]

Stop using “woke” until you know what it means.

[@hongpingmike]

this man needs to go to jail. he knows he overcharged.

[@hebber1961]

Along with the Liberals and government employees who knowingly went along with it.

[@Diggyoz]

You mean prison. Seriously, does anyone on earth know the difference between jail and prison?

[@winstonsmith935]

Welcome to the old boys club

[@jeffros6739]

Where was the oversight? Another fall guy

[@kdawgmaster]

problem is whether or not overcharging is really illegal. Best thing would be to see the contract and what it states, so long as he was within the bounds of the contract theres not much they can get him on and the blame should be on the liberal gov since they approved it.

[@767harsh]

Trudeau will pay him $10M for harassment in parliament 😂

[@MikeJones50911]

Try making adult comments to avoid further embarrassment of yourself.

[@thelvadam5113]

@@MikeJones50911they already gave him millions so what's embarrassing

[@vovin8132]

He's already gotten tens of millions from his grifting.

[@tedpoplawski4325]

@@MikeJones50911Try and keep up, you’d come across as less clueless.

[@mikeawesome9212]

​@@MikeJones50911The only one here who should be embarrassed is you. We're all laughing at you, no one else.

[@fredbecvar7463]

OMG what a joke this government is. Trudeau should be held accountable for this.

[@mrkang4080]

For what, exactly? It's always the same dumb comments with nothing to back it up...

[@flopes11]

@@mrkang4080 Hiring the company, not doing due diligence, spending 10's of millions on an app college kids can make in their basement. Do mean specifically in this case or should I keep going, the list is long.

[@MrMasterman6969]

that is a real joke JT is a handicap player

[@wt8213]

Punish the man that accepted the money over punishing the government workers that oversea tax payer spending? It's not illegal to say yes after someone asks for what it will cost to do something. It's the ingorantly incompetent government that didnt inquire through multiple companies to start a bid for the contract. Very basic stuff. Whoever said yes to spending that amount of tax payer dollars should go to jail.​@mrkang4080

[@mikeawesome9212]

​@mrkang4080 There's lots to back it up but you're a supporter of the soon to be EX PM, thus you are a lost cause.

[@hizokadarkwolf]

He could get the mental health he needs in a jail.

[@floatingleaf9672]

For free none the less!

[@tehabnorm]

Nothing is free , it's our dime again ​@@floatingleaf9672

[@Keepasking123]

“Accute mental health flare ups” 😅😅😅😅😅😂😂😂

[@Darren51283]

The more commonly used term is "temper tantrum".

[@1kTroopKoopas]

Yea he couldn't even think of a real diagnosis

[@janeclayton151]

These silly excuses are beyond hilarious except his theft and graft is Not Funny!!

[@cosmoinnes5039]

He’s not the one who paid him… so why isn’t the person who paid him on the stand being admonished? No questions asked? Respect the dignity of parliament? Politicians are going to collapse this country. I hope we don’t forget the players in Canadas demise when the law can’t handle all the goings on in Canada.

[@10secterror]

He is a Liberal so he is not accountable!!

[@traceym1778]

Just another clown show for the Canadian people involving our tax dollars.

[@thumperrabbit6848]

hope he rots in jail for 50 years

[@BrockVillain]

Thousands of Canadians are going to work everyday while dealing with mental health struggles. They can't afford the counseling to help remedy that. Mr. Firth, you can afford to get the help you need. Deal with it. 🤬

[@gcc8584]

He will heal and soothe his mental health over the next 4 decades relaxing in his tropical beach front mansion.

[@hardhittrr]

"i am not ashamed"... Wow..

[@impec]

Only in Canada

[@linhluong9250]

Trudeau's buddy just like him - no shame but took our tax money! Let not pay tax until the LIberal are out of their office!

[@fifermcgee5971]

Giving the Canadian Taxpayer the middle finger.

[@MrMasterman6969]

why should he be he got paid and got away scot free money has no....

[@NP-vk8de]

Typical liberal response.

[@JohnMarochko-hs5em]

He should be in jail

[@phoreal22]

Wheres his partner in crime, darren Anthony. He pulled this same stunt during the inquiry using his health as a crutch to not answer questions.

[@stephenlacey6134]

Whybdid the government give him that much money anyways, pack of fools

[@mrkang4080]

Governments put out bids for contractors, companies like GC strategies simply place contractors into these roles and take a cut of their per-diem. They didn't give him the money to build the app, he simply provided contractors that the government was asking for. Learn how this system works before you start throwing out nonsense.

[@mathieutaillefer8418]

Because they also got a cut of that money. They aren't that stupid. Lots of government workers got rich off this. They give him an insane contract and their reward for giving it to him is money.

[@tehabnorm]

​@@mrkang4080will you come up with any excuse to forgive your masters ?

[@mrkang4080]

@@mathieutaillefer8418 LOL, no.

[@adriandunkin8544]

Something that has not happened since 1913, has happened. Does this mean that when Justin Trudeau is in parliment again, the House Speaker WILL make him answer all opposition questions? No. Different standards.

[@dapperboy]

This mental health excuse is being used too frivolously these days.

[@jmcb3411]

Shouldn't JT sit next to him to answer the questions?

[@fifermcgee5971]

That would be deep sighs, shoulder Scruggs and rolling of the teary eyes.

[@1kTroopKoopas]

No, that would be too stressful for him, so he's exonerated I guess

[@derek04151]

I don't think I've ever been admonished in my life...must be pretty serious. 😂😂😂 If I end up facing criminal charges, I'm going to decline to participate because it would flare up my mental health. Sudden onset personally-diagnosed inspecific mental illness..... often brought on by facing consequences of one's actions. Treatable only by evading justice. ⚖️. 😜

[@AS-bp2zr]

Damn i gotta use that mental health flare up the next time im in front of the courts.😂

[@uNkLeRaRa4]

Wow... So I can just do whatever I want, and say it's because I had an "acute mental health flare-up".... What a joke this country has become

[@Peakerenc-bb1du]

"We do not feel it is appropriate to question the lying thief because it might hurt his feelings."

[@lipige]

They went through all process that has no one get punished! Wasting tax payers money.😮

[@Abeysampson]

Firth has mansion in Florida worth over $7.9 million he does not care he made million he has no hall of shame.

[@mrkang4080]

LOL, no.

[@flopes11]

@@mrkang4080 LOL, yes

[@ianasquith3902]

How many more Firths are there?

[@BluntedZephyr]

The muppets actual turned the House of Commons into a kangaroo court. The guy does what grocers, utilities, gas at the pumps, home prices have been doing to us for decades.... Stop looking for a scapegoat and start chastizing the endless social queuing that produces these type of people... Almost 40 million citizens and only one outfit tried and it was purpose-made to do just that...

[@MrMasterman6969]

artificial economy they get the big bucks and well you save a bunch of dimes

[@tehabnorm]

That boat sailed a long time ago

[@suzannegonsalves1522]

Well he’s won the lottery with the scam, so he’s now just passing time with this joke of a process

[@TheBOssmann420]

“Mental health” give me a break. It easy to commit a crime and declare mental health and get away with your crimes. Unreal

[@m.hosseinabdi.s8976]

Stress?! Obviously when you’re caught in the middle of political war

[@heyitsian]

"Mr. Speaker, do I need to answer that?" The hell kind of a question is that lmao

[@genevievesirois3338]

Wow, make him refund. Why do our taxes increase while he keeps all this money !

[@linejumper8204]

That guy could be a liberal.

[@Sam19509]

lol he is not.

[@flopes11]

@@Sam19509 Same corrupt values, might as well be

[@Sam19509]

@@flopes11 more like a Conservative. Remember Mulroney and the paper bags stuffed with cash rofl.

[@flopes11]

@@Sam19509 even though you are wrong....if that was true 300,000$ definitely the same as 100 million. Wake up.

[@flopes11]

@@Sam19509 That, was alleged never proven. Even if it was you want to compare 300k to 100 million (or more) wake up

[@robandrews4925]

laughing all the way to the bank with our money... wow

[@johnarthur6180]

so criminals can just say i'm ill and get away with crime.

[@Coach_Buj]

I'm sorry...... how is it the fault of a company for quoting a high price and the government accepting it?..... The feds were the ones who agreed to the price and didn't do their due diligence...

[@tedpoplawski4325]

Falsifying resumes so that GC Strategies would get the work? Not a problem? Yeah, okay.

[@Coach_Buj]

@@tedpoplawski4325 he duped the government. They're supposed to be above getting duped.... same government that didn't bother fielding competitive quotes to see if it could be done for a much cheaper price....

[@tedpoplawski4325]

@@Coach_Buj Yes, the government fools should also be held accountable..

[@mathieutaillefer8418]

Not just false resumes. GCstrategies was allowed to set the criteria and requirements for the contract. GCstrategies was allowed to write their own RFP. They wrote it in a way that was so restrictive that no other company even bothered to bid on it. It's so corrupt it's hard to even imagine.

[@gailjohnston9253]

How much was the kickback to Turdope?

[@paulinegauthier1867]

He's not ashamed. Not then and not now. That says it all. 🇨🇦💔🇨🇦

[@carsonmetcalfe7635]

I am not ashamed, but I am so stressed about telling "the truth" that it's causing me acute mental health flare ups. That's called a conscience.

[@Magnolia7932]

Nobody is ashamed from this scandal. Why? Huge amount of monies have been paid, no jail. The public servants are not fired. Nobody is ashamed or afraid fooling Taxpayers

[@angelomarcuzzi1707]

Greedy , Corrupt people are never ashamed of their wrong doing just look at Trudeau ! Narcissists are never ashamed of wrong doing how arrogant they make me sick !

[@lordfogg9728]

Lib MPs took kickbacks

[@mikenicholas1019]

Seize everything immediately!

[@1kTroopKoopas]

- Who diagnosed you? - My mom, Mr. Speaker, when I was 5 years old

[@SAL-se4ki]

I sure hope his feelings weren’t hurt by that admonishment! He probably has lots of participation awards hanging on his wall.🙄

[@KG72]

For 2 years in jail and left with millions, everyone would do that. Canadian judicial system is a joke, too forgiving. Take a good example from Singapore.

[@liveBasschannel]

Government blaming a contractor for a contact government gave to friend ? Thats shameful for everybody involved

[@ronjcharity]

I worked in consulting for 30 years and the pressure to sell and bill is overwhelming...yelled at and threatened on occasion. some managers and salespeople belong in jail.

[@DR-nw7xn]

He charged $2600 per hour!

[@ronjcharity]

Bet he was a top employee. The employees that pointed out ethical issues were probably fired. I ran into a guy like that at a company. He’s still there and was promoted.

[@ladybalhook]

Has been "diagnosed with acute mental health flare ups" from his own actions. The phrase "mess around and find out" is defined here.

[@marischwab6771]

And the lesson to learn students, DONT ACCEPT ANY CONTRACTS FROM ANY GOV OFFICIALS.

[@elijahrobertscinema6351]

We all know nothing will come of this and he will end up with only a slap on the wrist. This is Canada. We dont punish.

[@loudigity0]

He wasn't saying he had mental health flare-ups when he was getting the 20 million dollars

[@martageist106]

He should be criminally charged along with his partner. But what about the person ( s) who hired them ?

[@Hopefaithfuly]

So anyone can commit a crime then not have to testify due to possible mental stress? This is the new defense?

[@rosaluks644]

"aren't you ashamed?" really. "why aren't you jailed yet" is the right question to ask

[@DanSk451]

I feel the stress of admitting to being a scammer would cause stress so I won’t answer.

[@danielshalviri9196]

Thats precisely what a criminal would say.

[@RicAr-ml8nu]

Knowingly aware what he was doing was fraudulent. Recommend charges be laid by RCMP.

[@tehabnorm]

They to busy giving us tickets , and trampling people with horses

[@nancyschwartz892]

Wow…he is NOT ashamed!! Typical!!

[@dylanphotography5050]

This Man should release and those ministers who gave the Project have to go jail for sure...

[@PrimaryIgnition]

Obviously, a planted peg told to stand his ground and he'll be rewarded later. He'll take the low level heat and he'll disappear from record. Government related officials should now be investigated hard.

[@infinidominion]

Where are the comments

[@canadiansfor2A]

Hit the newest button!

[@Carlos-sd6cz]

"On Behalf of the House of Commons I admonish you" Well great but, Where is the money?

[@MB-pd2mm]

We already know our justice system is a revolving door, but we can now add an additional reason for the catch and release program. I’ve got a doctors note so i am unable to be put in stressful situations because of my mental health. As if we need any more reasons to NOT hold people accountable for their bad behaviour

[@frankdiscussion2069]

oh wow the guy rips off the taxpayer for 60 million dollars and just gets a scolding from the House Speaker...such a punishment! LOL

[@daniellesperance4231]

I was fined over a hundred thousand dollars for not complying with the arrivcan app. I fought all 26 fines over a three year period. I have the utmost respect for those who did the same and stood up against tyrannical government.

[@shakyjake2133]

Publically admitting to the Canadian people that you are unashamed of being a thief. What will happen next? He'll keep all of that money, the government will roll over and pretend it never happened. 2025 can't come quick enough. So little accountability and honesty. So much money laundering. Anyone else would be in jail or at least facing a lot more scrutiny.

[@dimitriosotis8632]

But Frith wasn't stressed about billing outrageous amounts of public money for doing virtually zip.

[@brendakerney699]

So disgusting jail for them

[@keithdurose7057]

He was a contractor who took on a contract. The amount that he received was agreed upon . On the Canadian populations behalf, by the Liberal government. Yes, the sum paid was out of all context. So it boils down to the governments failure to negotiate a good deal for Canadians. Other aspects of this contract. Was it necessary and did it work? Details released so far indicate no and no. Again, the old saying is demonstrated to the countries fiscal detriment "Socialists eventually run out of other peoples money."

[@DailyWisdom37]

I bet he was also not in good heath when he signed the contract and got the money. Did he has dignity then? Why now we have to spare his now?

[@tehabnorm]

If not the contract would be void , as he was not mentally capable to contract

[@user-rr3uf1vv8w]

“Mr Speaker do I have to answer that?” He must be related to Justin

[@gcc8584]

“I don’t want to answer because I might go to jail”?????!!? 🚩

[@skidoojoe9522]

nothing will come off it!!! he will be living abroad with the stolen money this time next year

[@herbklaehn8379]

And yet, Firth was able to swindle Canada, only now he is too stressed to talk about the swindle?

[@bryantessier4460]

Guilty

[@mrkang4080]

Guilty of what, exactly? The government is FULL of contractors, and companies like GC strategies place these contractors and they get a cut of their per-diem... this is how it works, and GC just replied to contracts made public to them. There is a good chance they are using this guy as a scape goat.

[@robp485]

What a show. I'm sure awards will be handed out.

[@tehabnorm]

In the back room over taxpayer paid cognac

[@perryg5500]

Why do other people have to answer questions asked of them but not the liberal members of parliament?

[@Sprucegrove123]

Steven MacKinnon the House Leader "we do not feel it is appropriate to question Mr. Firth if he is not medically able to participate, we want this to be done in a way that respects the dignity of Parliament" ............. I have in hand a note from his mother excusing him and a Hall Pass from Justin Trudeau, no need for further questions, this matter is closed

[@thebakingtrucker]

Trudope is a mental flare up 😅 along with most politicians

[@malei8132]

As long as he and Trudeau make a deal first, they dare to ask for 10 billion for an app.

[@colinsellers1143]

Did that reporter glue his ball hair to his face?

[@jkb358]

Send the demon to prison

[@sSiDdHaRtH290]

He got paid for the job he quoted to the government. The procurement team responsible for hiring this contractor needs to be answerable and not the contractor. Procurement team needs to answer why this contractor was chosen, was there a bidding process in place? and so on.. He did the job as per the contract and gotpaid for it.

[@MrMasterman6969]

got paid got away nothing can embrass only not being paid for a fake services

[@barneycruicks4444]

My goodness, treating criminals as criminals is a disgrace. I'm amazed the liberals didn't just excuse him and give him a few million for the audacity of the conservatives seeking the truth.

[@susancourse4607]

‘Undue stress’ give me strength…

[@colehara]

Which Liberal MP's got a kickback for awarding this $20 million contract to GC Strategies to essentially do nothing? A contract this large doesn't get awarded without somebody getting a pocket full of money. Christian Firth will no doubt be "protected" as long as he keeps his mouth shut.

[@rentech]

The people who hired him need to go to jail. Not him.

[@bennyb.1742]

Why would he be ashamed!? His buddy JT handed him enough money to make his whole family tree set for life. Their is no honor amongst thieves.

[@user-zz1hz9qn8m]

So here's my question: why couldn't the ircc be admonished in the same way? I mean how many times did they commit contempt of court over the course of the pandemic regarding people who should have birthright citizenship? I mean it was a constant middle finger at the courts. Every single time they ruled in favor of an applicant/person who should have been a citizen. The ircc clearly does not care about the law and here we go with this guy being admonished which he should be but why is the standard different?

[@Nunzio-Guerra]

Another fall guy...hope you had fun buddy, don't drop the soap!

[@seangregory932]

Mentally unwell? Have you considered MAID?

[@user-hn8cx5dt7k]

The. Stressful of.making money 60 millions take.2 Tylenol you will be ok

[@colehara]

Which Liberal MP's got a kickback from GC Strategies for awarding them this $20 million contract? Contracts that large always involve kickbacks. I'm sure Christian Firth will be "protected" as long as he keeps his mouth shut.

[@davidm9214]

Mr speaker do I have to answer ?😂 Can't tell me the libs didn't tell him everything was going to be ok.

[@Kryogenic683]

In Canada, all you need to say is I have mental health issues and all will be good. You can commit all kinds of atrocities, as long as you use “mental health issues” you’re safe and nothing will happen to you.

[@fifermcgee5971]

Listen buddy, you took millions of our hard earned taxpayers dollars,. Jail time for this crook.

[@plumdirigible]

Guilty people love committing crimes but cry when they get caught. His 'feelings' don't matter, and it only matters if he can prove he was 'sad' beforehand. What a little weasel Does he have to answer? He's a grown man.