Evidence of meeting #44 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 39th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was confidential.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Right. But we do have a rule with this committee. It was a motion that was passed when we reconstituted after we prorogued, and we do have to have all motions be given 48 hours' notice.
Madam Bennett.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
You're giving 48 hours' notice. Okay. We'll give 48 hours' notice, we'll check the blues, and we'll circulate that.
Liberal
Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON
We'd like it in the record that it's the Conservatives who have opposed the committee getting this report in a timely fashion.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
This is absolutely not the case. It's the Conservatives who are trying to ensure that we have some semblance of rules and parliamentary democracy around here. The 48 hours' notice has been established several times in this committee, and even though Ms. Bennett is not familiar with this committee and doesn't know the rules of this committee, that is the rule.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
I'll go to Marleau and Montpetit under disorder and misconduct. It says:
Disorder and misconduct in a committee may arise as a result of the failure to abide by the rules and practices of a committee or to respect the authority of the Chair.
We have rules, and that's been pointed out on page 858, if you guys want to check it out.
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Mr. Chair, Mr. Del Mastro was asking me who the judge was. It was the judge who ruled against the government and the Canadian Wheat Board, that the Prime Minister was violating the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as it relates to the freedom of speech of board members. That's in a Federal Court ruling.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
I have Mr. Del Mastro, who wanted the floor on a point of order, then Mr. Komarnicki, and then Mr. St. Amand.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Chair, I only want to have the record reflect that Ms. Bennett seems to be looking for a clarification of what the word “confidential” means and how confidential documents should be handled and treated by the public service. I'd like to make sure that she understands that the witnesses indicated they did understand the confidentiality of the document...hence, why they returned it and deleted it. There was never a question as to whether or not the document was of a secure nature; it was of a confidential nature. Ms. Bennett, seemingly, would like to change the channel, but clearly the witnesses have indicated that it was a secure document and they understood it as such.
Conservative
Ed Komarnicki Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
I simply want to make the point that my note did say that Ms. Demers, in her testimony response, did use the words, “left lying around negligently on the table”, I believe in reference to the document. I've asked Hansard for a copy of the exchange to be certain of that. It won't be available before we recess, but I may want to bring that before the committee because it would appear to be what I think is a contradiction. I'd like to raise it before the committee at a later date when the evidence is there.
Thank you.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Okay. So I'll make sure the clerk and the analyst get all the information that has been requested out to everyone.
Madame Demers and Mr. Roberts, I do appreciate your coming in on very short notice and your availability to share with us today.
With that, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn from Mr. St. Amand and we're out of here.
This meeting is adjourned.
