Debates of Nov. 14th, 2007

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Order. We are finished with that question. We have started over.

The member for Kings—Hants.

Scott Brison Kings—Hants, NS

Mr. Speaker, the justice minister was a parliamentary secretary in the Mulroney government. Now evidence suggests that he or his office tried to avoid responsibility by selectively receiving and evading information on the Schreiber affair.

Will the minister do the right thing and recuse himself from the file to avoid the perception that his personal connections are interfering with his ministerial responsibilities?

Rob Nicholson Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member may be a bit of an expert on that administration. I think he was the head of the young PCs of Nova Scotia at the time. Was it called youth for Mulroney? I forget.

I am very pleased and proud to have served under three justice ministers, three distinguished Canadians, as a member of the House of Commons. I am seized with the responsibility now as justice minister and I take that responsibility very seriously. I will exercise those responsibilities carefully.

Scott Brison Kings—Hants, NS

Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve the truth and Mr. Mulroney deserves a process that is impugnable. Briefing notes were prepared for the minister. His office evaded them. Wilful ignorance is no excuse. A justice minister should seek the truth. He should not seek to avoid the truth.

When will the minister do the right thing and recuse himself from the Schreiber affair?

Rob Nicholson Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, it is a bit much to be getting lectured by the Liberal Party on moral matters.

Just yesterday, the House will remember that the Liberals were advising us to release the tax information of a Canadian citizen. Did that bother anybody on that side of the House? Did anybody have a problem with advice to do something illegal? I ask that of the hon. member.

Judy Sgro York West, ON

Mr. Speaker, the justice minister should not be overseeing the Schreiber file and here is another reason why.

The minister said, and I quote, “I've always wanted a career in politics and Brian Mulroney made it possible for me”.

Since the minister's new boss has been forced to call a public inquiry into his old boss, will the minister step aside and put someone on this file who is not so obviously conflicted?

Rob Nicholson Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, we have put into place, what I think most reasonable Canadians would agree with, with respect to the allegations made in the civil lawsuit, the appointment of Dr. Johnston and the promise of a public inquiry.

With respect to the extradition matter, I have the support of the best legal team in Canada. I take those responsibilities very carefully.

Judy Sgro York West, ON

Mr. Speaker, the minister clearly is in a conflict when it comes to the Schreiber file. The minister must have an impartial person review Mr. Schreiber's extradition, so the most crucial witness will be able to testify in person at the public inquiry.

Will the minister step aside and allow justice to be done?

Rob Nicholson Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, again, it is a bit rich to be getting lectured by the Liberal Party and getting advice.

I still have not heard any answer to my question to those members. Was there anybody in the Liberal Party bothered by advice they were giving yesterday for us to commit illegal activity with respect to the tax files of an individual Canadian? It was clearly illegal, but it does not seem to bother anybody on that side of the House. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Maxime Bernier Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, as I said, we are visiting and interviewing Taliban prisoners on a regular basis. Officials have conducted 32 interviews. As a NATO spokesman said yesterday, “We have no evidence of systematic torture of detainees”.

During a recent visit, Canada's officials did see a Taliban prisoner with conditions that concerned them. Our officials are following up on media reports that the Afghan government has announced an investigation. The allegation has come to light because we have a good agreement with the Afghan government.

Joe Comartin Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

Mr. Speaker, there is not one Canadian who does not understand the significance of Karlheinz Schreiber staying in this country. He has an extradition hearing tomorrow. The minister has both the discretion and the responsibility to go into court, seek an adjournment tomorrow and keep Mr. Schreiber in this country so we can get to the bottom of this scandal. It encompasses the Liberal previous administration and this administration.

Will he do that?

Rob Nicholson Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, there is a process in place that was started by the previous Liberal justice minister of this country, and again the matter is before the Court of Appeal. There will be a decision handed down tomorrow and I think we should wait for that decision.

Joe Comartin Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is obvious he is not going to exercise his discretion or his responsibility.

Will he try this? Will he seek from the German government authority that it will see to it that Mr. Schreiber will return here at any time that we require him to appear in front of the public inquiry? Will he do at least that much to protect the interests of Canadians?