Evidence of meeting #7 for Justice and Human Rights in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was police.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Thank you very much, Mr. Webber.
This brings to a conclusion our questions and presentation today. I appreciate your taking the time from your studies to address this committee.
The next session of the committee now will be in camera, so I would ask that the--
4:30 p.m.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
Mr. Chairman, I have a point of order, and I would like to raise it in committee of the whole, rather than in camera. I would therefore ask to be given an opportunity to speak.
4:30 p.m.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
Three weeks ago, the minister appeared before the Committee on the matter of interim supply. As you undoubtedly recall, I had made a point of...
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Just to interrupt your point or order, Mr. Ménard, we still have our witness observing the affairs, and I don't think he's really interested in what we're doing here.
I want to thank you again, and all the best.
4:30 p.m.
Trudeau Scholar, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, Oxford University, As an Individual
Very good. Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
4:30 p.m.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
You undoubtedly recall that three weeks ago, the minister appeared before the Committee on the matter of interim supply. Although I was extremely courteous, as always, I made a point of asking that we be provided with the statistics he has regarding crime rates in Canada. The clerk was going to try and obtain those statistics as quickly as possible. She did a good job, and I thank her for that.
However, I received a note today, and I have the impression that the Department of Justice is in the process of reviewing, tampering with or commenting on all of this. I have a hard time understanding, when we are being told about accountability and transparency in the context of a specific piece of legislation, that it should take weeks to provide us with a table that the minister himself had when he appeared before this Committee. I'm concerned that he may have instructed officials to review some statistics, so that they are presented to us in a way that will prompt a specific interpretation. I would like the parliamentary secretary and yourself to insist on the minister's making those available to us.
In the note that the clerk so kindly sent, we are told that this involves a great deal of work. I don't understand. The minister had a table that he pledged to send to us. As a result, I would like that to be made available before our next meeting, failing which, if the minister is acting in bad faith, we should take whatever steps are available to us. I must say, however, that it would break my heart to have to do that.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
You've made your point, Mr. Ménard. We'll check that out and report next meeting.
The public part of this meeting is now adjourned.
[Proceedings continue in camera]