Government Operations Committee on Jan. 29th, 2024

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Mr. Genuis, please be brief. I'd like to finish up so we can get in camera to discuss something of importance that we have to address.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Sure. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

There was a request for documents discussed at one of the previous ArriveCAN hearings. I think there was agreement expressed at the time that people wanted to see it in writing. This pertains to the preliminary statement of fact that CBSA sent around regarding Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Utano's suspensions. I think the committee is seized with trying to understand the circumstances around their suspensions.

We discussed this motion. There was agreement, I think, but people wanted to see the text of it. I hope we can get this done now. Again, it was distributed on Thursday, January 18.

The motion says:

That the clerk inform Erin O'Gorman that the committee sends for the preliminary statement of fact regarding CBSA's investigation, which was sent to the supervisors of Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Utano.

This was the statement of fact regarding the investigation that appears to have led to the suspension without pay of these individuals shortly after they testified before the committee. I think this information is critical for the committee's hearing. Because there was agreement at the time and people have now seen the text of this in both official languages, I hope we can get it through.

I would like to move this now. I hope this is brief.

Thanks, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thanks.

Is that the one Mr. Johns put through, or is it yours? I think there was one from Mr. Johns as well.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

No, I put it through on January 18.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Okay. It was distributed.

Are we fine with that?

[Majid Jowhari, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Great.

Mrs. Vignola, you had your hand up at the very beginning, but we got to the motion. Do you wish to go ahead?

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I don't even know if you're hearing me correctly, because I'm starting to have connection problems again with both the sound and video. I think I have no other choice but to ask for someone to quickly replace me. Given the technical problems I'm having, I cannot contribute positively to any kind of debate, which puts me in a state I have no words for.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

It must be on your side, because you're coming through loud and clear. There's no video lag at all from our side.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

It's probably on my end. My Internet connection—

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I need you to listen in. Perhaps we can just finish this up, then go in camera. I have to read something in and I'm hoping you can stay for that. We can suspend to have someone come down from the House for you, if you wish, but I need to take care of one thing today in camera.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Let's try.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Can you hear that okay, or do you wish to leave and we'll bring in someone from upstairs?

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Someone will have to replace me, because there is a two-minute delay, Mr. Chair. You started moving like Charlie Chaplin again and you're very comical.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I'm going to suspend quickly.

[Proceedings continue in camera]