That's just hypothetical.
Evidence of meeting #43 for Public Accounts in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was options.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #43 for Public Accounts in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was options.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joe Volpe
Thank you for raising the question of speculation, Mr. Saxton.
That raises just one item, I suppose, which has been left unattended, and that is Mr. Young's presentation, on three occasions by my count, to let the bailiff do his job.
I'm just wondering whether that means, Mr. Young, that the committee authorize the chair to make the appropriate expenditures to give direction to the bailiff to proceed as you have suggested he proceed.
If you give me an indication that this is, in fact, the case, then we will do that.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Terence Young Conservative Oakville, ON
I would like to see that, with no suggestion that the bailiff be given direction or authorization to have any expenses for travel outside Ottawa, to proceed and make his—I presume it's a him—best attempts to determine when Madame Ouimet is back in Ottawa and to deliver a summons directing her to contact the clerk with the direction of appearing before this committee on a Tuesday or a Thursday when the committee is sitting.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joe Volpe
This is a very serious issue, as Mr. Christopherson and others have indicated. The committee is treading in areas that deal with the authorities not only of committees and of Parliament, but also of private citizens.
We've already accepted that the committee's jurisdiction does not extend beyond Canadian boundaries. If it is the intention of this committee that we instruct the bailiff to continue to ascertain the whereabouts of Madame Ouimet, then fine. I know that the constraints are the Canadian border. That's okay. Rather than engage in speculation about whether she's here or she's not here, I think your suggestion may be right, that the bailiff continue his....
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joe Volpe
Within Ottawa; fine.
Do I have the agreement of the committee to give that direction and to cause those expenditures?
4:50 p.m.
An hon. member
No.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Daryl Kramp Conservative Prince Edward—Hastings, ON
[Inaudible--Editor]...walk and chew gum at the same time. Don't stop looking for her, that's all.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joe Volpe
I have another two people on the speakers list, and you're the second one, Mr. Christopherson.
Mr. Saxton.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I think this idea is not a bad one. I think it needs to have parameters, though, and I don't think it should include the bailiff camping outside her house. I think it means every few days he tries to serve again. This would be the parameter I would suggest, that if we do go in this direction it's within a certain limit and we're not causing undue expenditures.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joe Volpe
Mr. Saxton, it's a recommendation proposed by one of your colleagues. I can't put myself in the mind of everyone. If you'll consult and give me an indication of parameters, then other colleagues can consider them as well.
4:50 p.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Chair, it's not that I agree or disagree with Mr. Saxton, but I just can't believe that we would take any action, particularly when we're dealing with a bailiff and we're dealing with summons, before we've heard from the law clerk when we've already agreed that we want to hear from the law clerk before we do anything.
This may very well be exactly what we should do, but I'd like to hear Mr. Walsh's opinion on that before I give any okay to giving further directions to bailiffs. I don't know what their regular procedures are.
At any rate, I think this is actually out of order relative to the motion that we've already passed--unanimously, I believe.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joe Volpe
I sense an indication to withdraw that proposal until after Mr. Walsh has presented. I accept that withdrawal. Whether it's in order or not is immaterial at this stage of the game.
I'm going to proceed with suspending the committee for two minutes.
Thank you.
[Proceedings continue in camera]