Information & Ethics Committee on Feb. 14th, 2012

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

Are you moving that?

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Yes, I'm tabling two motions. I will read them.

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

Sorry.

Mr. Del Mastro, on a point of order.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

On a point of order, I'd just request, as is usual practice here at the committee, that we move in camera for consideration of motions, Madam Chairman.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

You can't make a motion on a point of order, can you? How can you make a motion on a point of order?

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

My understanding is you can't.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

I'm not making a motion; I'm requesting that we move to standard procedure.

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

Sorry. You were on a point of order, Mr. Del Mastro.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

This is a procedural point of order that we move in camera, as is normal practice here at the committee.

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

It's a motion, as I understand it, and you're on a point of order.

Monsieur Dusseault has the floor. That's not a point of order; that's moving a motion. My understanding is you can't move a motion on a point of order.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

I'd already tabled a motion.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Can I request to be first on the list?

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

You can be first on the list after Monsieur Dusseault.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

I recognize Mr. Dusseault. He has the floor.

Just for the committee's information, those motions were distributed publicly.

Monsieur Dusseault, for your motion.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

The first motion reads as follows:That, in light of witness testimony heard regarding offences under the Lobbyist Registration Act, the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics call representatives of the Office of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada to testify with regard to the interpretation of the provisions of the act.

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

You can speak to that motion since you have the floor, Monsieur Dusseault.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

It says at the beginning "in light of witness testimony heard". As Messrs. Giorno and Hudon reiterated here today, it's important to hear from representatives from the RCMP so that they can explain how they operate and why they did not follow up in all these cases. The RCMP's function is important under the Lobbyists Registration Act. Therefore, if we examine the Lobbyists Registration Act, I think it would be important to hear these people and find out what they have to say about this.

The other motion is about—

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

I'm sorry, Monsieur Dusseault, you can only move one motion at a time, so if you could, stay on your current motion.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Well, I hope that all members of the committee will agree with the witnesses who indicated that in their opinion they agreed with us that the committee should hear people from the RCMP.

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

Mr. Del Mastro, you have the floor.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Thank you.

I move that the committee move in camera for consideration of the motion.

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

It's not debatable.

(Motion agreed to)

We'll suspend while we move in camera.

[Proceedings continue in camera]