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 gripesabout 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-rankingindividuals from the Quebec construction industry.

Opposition parties haveaccused the federal Conservatives of taking kickbacks from the industryin return for handing out government contracts and have demandedParadis's resignation.

Paradis's spokesmanadmitted the MPfor MganticL'rable did recall the conversation he had at the fundraiser after construction boss Paul Sauv who organized the fundraiser claimed he heard Paradis talking about government contracts with another businessman.