Paradis did speak about contracts at 2009 fundraiser: aide

A spokesman for Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis says the embattled politician does recall listening to a businessman lay out his gripes about the federal contracting process at a 2009 Tory fundraiser in Montreal.

Paradis insisted last week that he did not discuss any government business at the fundraiser, which he attended with several high-ranking individuals from the Quebec construction industry.

Opposition parties have accused the federal Conservatives of taking kickbacks from the industry in return for handing out government contracts and have demanded Paradis's resignation.

Paradis's spokesman admitted the MP for Mégantic–L'Érable did recall the conversation he had at the fundraiser after construction boss Paul Sauvé — who organized the fundraiser — claimed he heard Paradis talking about government contracts with another businessman.