Evidence of meeting #34 for Public Safety and National Security in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was factors.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Roger PrĂ©fontaine
Mary Campbell  Director General, Corrections and Criminal Justice Directorate, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Michel Laprade  Senior Counsel, Legal Services, Correctional Service Canada

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

Mr. Chairman, on a similar note, this committee published a calendar in which we all agreed as a committee to have one day to explore the Fadden issue. We had two witnesses scheduled for that. I understand that you can't subpoena a cabinet minister or member of Parliament, but you can subpoena--and we ought to subpoena--Madame Morin.

I want to express publicly here how disappointed I was yesterday that as a vice-chair of this committee I found out through the media that the minister was not appearing and that Madame Morin was not appearing.

When we left the last meeting, it was you, Mr. Chairman, and Mr. MacKenzie as the ranking Conservative, who said you would be checking with the minister and checking on dates. Nobody had the courtesy to this committee to even let me know that wasn't happening until a media release went out saying that the minister refused to appear.

3:35 p.m.

An hon. member

I have a point of order.

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

This is a point of order that I'm raising right now.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

You can't do a point of order on a point of order.

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

Mr. Chairman, the day that we were to study the Fadden issue was not merely limited to two witnesses. It was a topic as well. We have to find another day. This day can't just disappear while we replace it with Bill C-5. That calendar schedule was agreed to by this committee. We all made compromises--

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

Well, on that point--

3:40 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

Can I just finish my point, Mr. Chairman? I have a right to finish my point.

There were compromises made back and forth where we all got our issues; it's not fair to have one issue just evaporate.

I also want to say that you should also talk to Madame Morin, who is not a cabinet minister and who can be subpoenaed. She is not entitled to refuse to come, which is what it appears from the media that she appeared to do. She didn't say she couldn't come; she is refusing to come. That's not acceptable.

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

Mr. Davies, you will have the opportunity to ask her that question on Monday. My understanding is that she will be here on Monday.

3:40 p.m.

An hon. member

Mr. Chair?

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

He has another point of order.

Yours wasn't a point of order, was it? It usually is a point of order.

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Holland Liberal Ajax—Pickering, ON

Well, I can make it one.

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

Thank you.

Mr. McColeman.

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Phil McColeman Conservative Brant, ON

I would like to remind Mr. Davies that the issues he's discussing were discussed in an in camera meeting. To my knowledge, we're not in an in camera meeting right now.

I'm wondering, Chair, if it's appropriate that he express his regrets in speaking about business publicly, as he has for the last minute or so, in this environment.

3:40 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

Mr. Chairman, I'm talking about the calendar that has been published. It's a matter of public record that this day is scheduled to hear from certain ministers--

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Phil McColeman Conservative Brant, ON

Sir--

3:40 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

There's nothing privileged--

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Phil McColeman Conservative Brant, ON

Mr. Chair?

3:40 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

--about that whatsoever.

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Phil McColeman Conservative Brant, ON

Mr. Chair?

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

I'm just checking on that right now.

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Phil McColeman Conservative Brant, ON

He's talking about what was said in the meeting.

3:40 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

No, I'm not.

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Phil McColeman Conservative Brant, ON

Yes, you are.

3:40 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

No, I'm not.

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Phil McColeman Conservative Brant, ON

You just did.