I'm not talking about the RCMP code of conduct. I'm talking about the reinstatement of Barbara George at that particular time, given the fact that there was a serious disciplinary process in place and ongoing at that time.
I think what the commissioner is trying to tell me, Mr. Chairman--and he can correct me if I'm wrong--is that a senior member of the RCMP could be under a cloud of accusation in any other venue outside the RCMP and it means nothing to the RCMP. Even for deputy commissioners--they can continue working and so on with no appropriation of any kind because it's in another venue. This is a serious charge hanging over Ms. George. She realizes that. I would hope that the RCMP and the commissioner realize that.
My concern is for the 26,000 RCMP officers who are putting their lives on the line to uphold the law, and we have lost far too many of them over the last few years. Therefore my concern is that we would have a deputy commissioner who is under a cloud of potential contempt of Parliament, which Chief Superintendent Paulson referred to as perjury, and yet the commissioner reinstates her as deputy commissioner, even with that allegation hanging over her head.
That's why I want to know what the commissioner is doing at this time. Why didn't he wait until this committee resolved whether or not it believed there was a contempt of Parliament or that she had misled the committee, and then he would have been free to make his decision?