We'll resume debate on Mr. Sousa's amendment after we have dealt with the issue of privilege.
Mr. Genuis has raised a question of privilege. The House of Commons Procedure and Practice, third edition, page 1060, describes my role as chair of the committee in entertaining a question of privilege.
The Chair of a committee does not have the power to rule on questions of privilege; only the Speaker has that power. If a member wishes to raise a question of privilege during a committee meeting, or an incident rises in connection with the committee's proceedings that may constitute a breach of privilege, the committee Chair allows the member to explain the situation.
I will do that in a moment.
The Chair then determines whether the question raised in fact relates to parliamentary privilege. If the Chair determines that the question does relate to parliamentary privilege, the committee may then consider presenting a report on the question to the House.
Mr. Genuis has referred to allegations that the campaign of retaliation and intimidation against the two individuals who have appeared as witnesses at our committee, Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Utano, is in connection with the evidence they have given to committee. Bosc and Gagnon, on page 115, explains that.
Just as prima facie cases of privilege have been found for the intimidation of Members and their staff, the intimidation of a committee witness has also been found to be a prima facie breach of privilege.
I'm satisfied that Mr. Genuis has raised a matter that relates to parliamentary privilege. Accordingly, I invite him to move the motion and speak on it. However, before I do, I will suggest that we dismiss our witnesses, Ms. O'Gorman and Mr. Ossowski, so that we can attend to this privilege issue.
Witnesses, thank you for joining us again.
Mr. Genuis, please go ahead.