House of Commons Hansard #23 of the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was justice.

Topics

Phthalate Control ActPrivate Members' Business

2:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Yea.

Phthalate Control ActPrivate Members' Business

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau

All those opposed will please say nay.

Phthalate Control ActPrivate Members' Business

2:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Phthalate Control ActPrivate Members' Business

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau

In my opinion the yeas have it.

And five or more members having risen:

Pursuant to Standing Order 98, the recorded division stands deferred until Wednesday, November 28, 2007, immediately before the time provided for private members’ business.

Is the member for Brampton—Springdale rising on a point of order or a question of privilege?

Comments Regarding the Minister of JusticePrivilegePrivate Members' Business

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON

I rise on a question of privilege, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.

In our parliamentary system we have ministerial responsibility. Ministers of the Crown are directly responsible to the public and to this House for all actions taken by their political staff or departmental officials.

The present Minister of Justice was the minister responsible when the investigation was being carried out by the Department of Justice into the settlement Mr. Mulroney received in 1997, a settlement that came at a time when no one in government knew about the $300,000 cash payment he had received from Karlheinz Schreiber. The present Minister of Justice was also the minister when this departmental investigation was brought to an abrupt and unexplained halt.

On November 14, on a CBC program, I stated that the Minister of Justice stopped the investigation when in fact the question of who stopped the investigation or why remains unanswered. Canadians would like to know who did.

To the extent that the distinction between personally stopping the investigation and being the minister responsible while the investigation was stopped troubles the minister or has caused him any embarrassment or discomfort in any way, I wish to make clear my apologies to him.

On behalf of Canadians, we will vigorously pursue the issue of who stopped that investigation, so I ask the minister again, who stopped the investigation and why?

Comments Regarding the Minister of JusticePrivilegePrivate Members' Business

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau

I thank the hon. member for Brampton—Springdale for rising on a question of privilege. The Speaker will come back to her and to the House in due time, if necessary. Is the hon. the chief government whip rising on a point of order?

Comments Regarding the Minister of JusticePrivilegePrivate Members' Business

2:10 p.m.

Prince George—Peace River B.C.

Conservative

Jay Hill ConservativeSecretary of State and Chief Government Whip

I am rising on the same point, Mr. Speaker, if you will just indulge me for a moment.

I would just say that I have been a member of Parliament for some 14 years. I have never seen such a sad apology in my life, and to do it on a Friday afternoon when the minister the member has insulted is not even present is inexcusable. I would have to say that I for one at least, having not had the opportunity to talk to my minister, certainly do not accept that apology.

Comments Regarding the Minister of JusticePrivilegePrivate Members' Business

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau

The hon. member for Edmonton--Sherwood Park is rising on a point of order.

Comments Regarding the Minister of JusticePrivilegePrivate Members' Business

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Ken Epp Conservative Edmonton—Sherwood Park, AB

Mr. Speaker, I believe you would have absolutely no difficulty finding unanimous consent that we see the clock as 2:30 p.m.

Comments Regarding the Minister of JusticePrivilegePrivate Members' Business

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau

Is that agreed?

Comments Regarding the Minister of JusticePrivilegePrivate Members' Business

2:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Comments Regarding the Minister of JusticePrivilegePrivate Members' Business

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau

It being 2:30 p.m., this House stands adjourned until Monday at 11 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 2:10 p.m.)