Evidence of meeting #44 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was elections.
A recording is available from Parliament.
2:30 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
You stated on page 11 of your statement:
...given the arm's-length relationship I seek to maintain with the commissioner, I am not in a position to answer questions that are within the scope of his investigation.
Can you confirm that you have never interfered with the commissioner's investigation in this regard?
2:30 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
You've never been involved in any way, shape, or form since referring it to him?
2:30 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
Could you provide more explanation to your question?
2:30 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
The question is very simple. Have you been involved in any way in guiding the investigation?
2:30 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
I've not been involved in any way in guiding the investigation.
2:30 p.m.
Conservative
2:30 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
I have not written him about the investigation.
2:30 p.m.
Conservative
2:30 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
Three days before the operation, I got a debriefing from the commissioner.
2:30 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
He indicated to you that this search was going ahead at that time?
2:30 p.m.
Conservative
2:30 p.m.
Conservative
2:30 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
I must say, and I'm pretty sure the commissioner would attest to this, we had a difficult conversation, not regarding the steps being taken but the timing of the investigation and the process.
2:30 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
I was someone who was rather not very happy about finding out that an operation would be conducted on the eve of the civil case proceeding. I'm responsible for the civil proceeding. He's responsible for the criminal aspect. And I was not too enthused about the approach.
2:30 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
But again, out of this arm's-length relationship, I did not direct him to change anything.
2:30 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
Why did you think the timing was bad and inappropriate?
2:30 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
I didn't think it was very appropriate to do that the day before the cross-examination in the civil case would start.
2:30 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
Do you think Canadians would be concerned to find out that not only do we as a Conservative Party think the timing was suspect, but you as the Chief Electoral Officer has said the timing of this search was inappropriate?