Evidence of meeting #106 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was guests.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Eric Janse  Clerk of the House of Commons
Patrick McDonell  Sergeant-at-Arms and Corporate Security Officer, House of Commons
Nancy Anctil  Chief of Protocol and Events Management, House of Commons
Jeffrey LeBlanc  Deputy Clerk, Procedure, House of Commons

1:30 p.m.

Bloc

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC

I have a lot of respect for Mr. Rota. I know him. He's an honourable man and has demonstrated exemplary impartiality. We're here because there's something fishy going on. There's something we can't quite understand. There are too many factors, and we won't be able to clarify the situation in a single meeting.

1:30 p.m.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

Your view that is that Mr. Rota is an honourable man. He provided explanations repeatedly, and he has reiterated his position.

1:30 p.m.

Bloc

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC

The Prime Minister's Office knew about it.

1:30 p.m.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

Ms. Gaudreau, if you believe that he's honourable, then you would agree with me that there's nothing fishy going on. What we got were public apologies for his mistake. He made a mistake and he was sorry. Attacking him and making him relive the incident is unworthy of us.

1:30 p.m.

Bloc

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC

It's not my intent to attack Mr. Rota. I have a lot of respect for him, and I believe it's important to shed light on the situation. I personally get the impression that Mr. Rota is a victim and that he was made the scapegoat.

1:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bardish Chagger

Thank you.

Madam Mathyssen is next.

1:30 p.m.

NDP

Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON

I would like to say that according to your rules, Madam Chair, this was in fact mentioned in the witness's initial statement, so I'm on course here.

In the aftermath of this incident, Vladimir Putin sat down in Moscow with Tucker Carlson, as you mentioned. He referenced this incident as part of his rationale for invading Ukraine. We are now seeing the weaponization of this incident by Putin in this coming forward of right-wing followers. Of course, we understand the dangers of this and these claims being circulated here in Canada.

What are the steps that your government is taking to respond to bad faith actors like Tucker Carlson and those who are truly promoting and giving that platform to Russian propaganda?

1:35 p.m.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

There's no question that there exists in the west—and by “the west”, I mean western countries broadly—a strain of conservatism that is pro-Putin and pro-Russia. It puts support for Ukraine in question, and it supports and disseminates conspiracy theories about Ukraine. It repeats propaganda statements made by, among others, the President of Russia. I would submit that Mr. Carlson is certainly in that category. In fact, he has expressed direct support for Russia in this conflict, which is quite incredible.

This also exists in Canada. What we have to do is stand up every day for the people of Ukraine and for our support of Ukraine to dissipate all of these conspiracy theories and plots that are described to us sometimes on the Internet and that sometimes lead us down some very dark, deep, rabbit holes. We'll continue to be doing that.

One thing that will not stop is the government of Canada's support, and I hope the support of your party and that of the Bloc Québécois. By that I mean Canada's uniform support, economic support, diplomatic support and military support for the people and the armed forces of Ukraine.

1:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bardish Chagger

Sadly, that brings our time to an end. It has been most invigorating, as always.

Minister, we thank you for your time and attention and for being here with us today.

Colleagues, thank you for your fruitful conversation and discourse.

We'll see you Thursday. The meeting is adjourned.