Evidence of meeting #22 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was files.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:40 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Pat Martin
You can't call a point of order on a point of order. We have a point of order on the floor.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON
So what is happening, Mr. Chair, is that they're circumventing the decision of the committee on the agenda by moving a motion during the interview time they have. If they wish to do that, we should automatically move to the committee business portion of the meeting.
4:40 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Pat Martin
Okay. You had two points of order. The first one was does he have the right to move the motion in the context of his questioning? My ruling is yes, after consultation with the clerk. Your second point of order is that as soon as he moves his motion, can you then move to go in camera? My ruling is yes, because as soon as he moves his motion, it's open for debate.
4:40 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Pat Martin
Any of you could be given the floor in the context of that debate, and you may, at that time, choose to move in camera—
4:40 p.m.
NDP
4:40 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Pat Martin
Alexandre, you have moved your motion, then, that those three NGOs be added to the witness list in the context of this examination. The motion is in order. Is there any debate on the motion?
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
I move we go in camera, please.
4:40 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Pat Martin
The debate on the motion has been undermined by a motion to go in camera, which is non-debatable and should be voted on immediately.
Is there a point of order?
4:40 p.m.
NDP
Alexandre Boulerice NDP Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
Yes, a point of order.
If we vote to hold our meeting in camera, then my motion is moot. I therefore withdraw it.
4:40 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Pat Martin
We're hoisted on our own petard here, in that you need unanimous consent to withdraw the motion.
The motion has been made to go in camera, unless we have unanimous consent.... Do we have unanimous consent for Alexandre to withdraw his motion?
4:40 p.m.
NDP
4:40 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Pat Martin
Good, we're back in business.
Alexandre, you probably had about 15—no, you were out of time.
4:40 p.m.
NDP
4:40 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP Pat Martin
You were out of time. You're always mischievous, anyway, when we do give you time.
The next speaker, then, is Ron Cannan. Ron, are you ready to take the floor?
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Ron Cannan Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. In the spirit of bilingualism, bonne fête. Happy birthday to you.
I just wanted to pick up on your line of questioning, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Dion, you definitely come with high qualifications, in looking at your résumé. You've spent many years in the public sector and worked very closely with some high-ranking public servants, including at the Department of Justice and the Treasury Board. Maybe you could clarify—to give some certainty and confidence in your position—what policies, plans, checks, and balances you have in place that will help keep you truly independent and impartial.
4:40 p.m.
Interim Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, Public Sector Integrity Canada
First of all, now that I have a much better understanding of my actual role than I did a year ago, I've taken concrete steps to not attend any luncheons or group meetings involving heads of agencies, deputy ministers, or CEOs, as defined under the act, to avoid any impression on the part of anyone that I'm being cozy with anybody who might be the subject of a complaint currently or in the future.
For each case that comes in, I have access to the case management system, so I can flag it the moment a case comes in, if I sense that there is a reason to recuse myself. I have done that systematically and I'll continue to do that.
At the end of the day, it's an act of faith, of course. People have to trust my judgment and my commitment to taking the adequate steps quickly, when such a conflict arises. But I'm fully committed to doing it. I started to do it, I've done it, and I think it's essential to building the confidence we are talking about.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Ron Cannan Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
That's very encouraging. Thank you for that.
You report to Parliament on an annual basis?
4:45 p.m.
Interim Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, Public Sector Integrity Canada
Yes.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
