Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Feb. 13th, 2024

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

If you're asking me to offer a political analysis about why the official opposition acts like it does, my—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

No, not necessarily; it's more in terms of that lack of transparency, though, that seems to have occurred here as a problem overall.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

I think the opposition is a little sheepish about their lack of support for Ukraine in the trade deal, and perhaps the tepid welcome that they offered Mr. Zelenskyy that day themselves, and are trying to create a diversion.

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Well, I've certainly seen that in my other committees.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Yes, we all have.

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Let's just change pace, then.

In terms of the aftermath of this incident, of course this is having a great deal of impact on the Jewish communities in Canada. In meetings that I've had with them in my local area, many communities have been calling for your government's online hate legislation to be brought forward. It was promised to be brought forward within 100 days of your government coming to power. We have not seen that.

I would ask what consideration your government has given to this, considering this incredible incident and the harm that's been done, and considering that groups like the Jewish community have called for your government to come forward with that actual piece of legislation that you've been well overdue on.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Thank you for the question.

I know that on multiple occasions, the fact that the Jewish community had a right to feel especially hurt by this incident was singled out and apologies were offered. I know it continues to be the case that we are horrified by the impact of this incident on the Jewish community and I think we all need to remain humble in the face of that.

With respect to the anti-hate legislation, I would just point you to the minister and the fact that it remains a significant commitment of this government. Beyond that, I won't say much more—

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Thank you—

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Stay tuned.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Thank you.

I will just say that we went further and further from the topic when we talked about legislation. When somebody comes and provides comments and opens up a little bit of the scope, there is some ability for an exchange, but when the person who is appearing has not even opened up that scope, I do think that as members we need to try to stay within the purpose of why we're here.

I'll just give that as a friendly reminder. I did not want to interrupt the exchange. I would just remind everyone as to the purpose of the study and why we're here. If we can try to swim in that pool, it would be really appreciated.

I'm now giving the floor to Mr. Berthold for five minutes, after which it will be Mr. Lauzon's turn.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Mr. MacKinnon, are you still claiming that the Prime Minister and his office did not know that the former Nazi Yaroslav Hunka would be in the gallery during the Ukrainian president's address?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Could you repeat the question?

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Are you still saying or claiming that the Prime Minister and everyone in his office didn't know that former Nazi Yaroslav Hunka would be in the gallery during the Ukrainian president's address?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

I will refer you back once again to the words of former Speaker Rota, who solemnly swore, before and after his resignation, that he was solely responsible and the only person to be aware of it, and that he took full responsibility for it.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

So you're saying that to your knowledge, no one in the Prime Minister's office knew that Mr. Hunka would be in the gallery.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Once again, the Speaker could not have been clearer about the fact that he was the only person responsible for having sent the invitation to Mr. Hunka, and for having drawn attention to his presence.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

You're just repeating what Mr. Rota said. I'm therefore assuming that you're not answering my question directly.

How do you explain the fact that on September 24, only a few moments following the revelation that Mr. Hunka had been an SS soldier, the Prime Minister's awareness adviser sent a text message to the parliamentary protocol coordinator to ask for the name of his son?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

I'm not sure I'm following the logic of what you're saying.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

On September 24, only a few moments after we learned that Mr. Hunka was a former Nazi, the Prime Minister's awareness adviser sent a text message to the parliamentary protocol coordinator to ask for the name of his son. Isn't that a strange question from someone who was not aware of Mr. Hunka's presence in the House?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

I can't comment on that because I was the chief government whip at the time.

Was that after the Speaker of the House had mentioned that he was in attendance?

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

It was immediately after it was learned that Mr. Hunka was a former Nazi.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Okay.

I have no idea, in view of everything that happened, why she would have wanted that information.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

So it looks obvious—

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

I'm not assuming the worst, as you appear to be doing.