Evidence of meeting #24 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was come.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:30 p.m.
NDP
Dany Morin NDP Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
My colleague Pierre-Luc Dusseault wanted us to discuss that in committee, and Mr. Del Mastro hurried to get the journalists out, so that we could discuss the case in camera. Therefore, I cannot discuss any details, but I think that inviting RCMP representatives is a very good idea.
I have another quick question about the penalities imposed on guilty parties. Don't you think that asking the lobbyists at fault to write a letter of apology is a very mild punishment lacking teeth?
12:30 p.m.
Commissioner of Lobbying, Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying
All I can currently do is refer the case to the RCMP or submit a report to Parliament.
12:30 p.m.
Commissioner of Lobbying, Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying
That's why I recommend administrative penalities.
12:30 p.m.
Commissioner of Lobbying, Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying
That provides more flexibility.
12:30 p.m.
NDP
Dany Morin NDP Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Thank you very much.
I will let my colleague Mr. Dusseault have my remaining minute.
12:30 p.m.
NDP
Pierre-Luc Dusseault NDP Sherbrooke, QC
Mrs. Shepherd, thanks again for your comments.
Since another one of my motions is on the committee's agenda, I thought it would be a good time, after hearing from another witness, to present my second motion, which could not be discussed at the last meeting. I will now present my motion, if that's okay with you. It asks:
That, in light of witness testimony heard regarding offences under the Lobbying 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 last motion—
12:30 p.m.
Conservative
Patricia Davidson Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
I'd just like to make a motion that we go in camera when he's read his motion.
12:30 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Jean Crowder
Thank you, Mrs. Davidson. We'll recognize you as the next speaker.
Mr. Dusseault has the floor at the moment.
12:30 p.m.
NDP
Pierre-Luc Dusseault NDP Sherbrooke, QC
That is actually somewhat related to the motion presented at the last committee meeting, given that the RCMP and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada have strong ties. Of course, I am calling for a recorded division.
12:30 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Jean Crowder
Can I interrupt for one moment?
Commissioner, I want to thank you and your staff for appearing before the committee. You're welcome to stay as long as we're in public, but I would also be prepared to excuse you and your staff at this point in time.
Is it a point of order, Mr. Butt?
12:30 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Butt Conservative Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
I have a point of order.
With all due respect, we've asked the commissioner and her staff to be here for the hour today. We can deal with this motion at the end. Can we not continue?
Can you not respect the committee members, the rest of us, who would like to ask questions of the staff who are here today before we wrap this thing up?
12:30 p.m.
A voice
Hear, hear!
12:30 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Butt Conservative Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
I have no problem dealing with Mr. Dusseault's motion at the end of the meeting, but to deal with it now, to go in camera and cut off debate is inappropriate, Madam Chair. I think you should let the rest of the committee members examine the witnesses today, and then we can deal with Mr. Dusseault's motion at the end of the meeting.
12:30 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Jean Crowder
I appreciate your comments, Mr. Butt. I am unfortunately bound by procedure where a motion has now been introduced and I have to entertain the motion that's on the floor.
I do apologize to the commissioner for the abbreviated testimony. Is this a point of order as well, Mrs. Davidson?
12:35 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Jean Crowder
Was there another point of order over here?
Can Mr. Dusseault continue? He has the floor.
12:35 p.m.
NDP
Pierre-Luc Dusseault NDP Sherbrooke, QC
It's not complicated. All we have to do is vote. It will take only one or two minutes. We don't have to do it behind closed doors. We can then continue our discussion with Ms. Shepherd. Therefore, I call for a recorded division immediately. That simply reflects all the witnesses' comments. We should at least be able to vote on this.
12:35 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Jean Crowder
On a point of information, we can't actually call the question or call for a vote. I have a speakers' list, which I will now recognize.
Mrs. Davidson, you have the floor.
12:35 p.m.
Conservative