Evidence of meeting #39 for Canada-China Relations in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was csis.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
Mr. Chair, in fact, I don't have questions.
However, I suppose this is a question for you. I think we've run the course here with respect to the topic. I would put this to you: When can we talk about drafting instructions and what the plan will be for that, exactly?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
We have received further witness requests from Mr. Chong. I believe it's one more witness.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
No, it's three more witnesses in one meeting, then—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
As I understand it, Richard Fadden is scheduled to appear in the session scheduled for Friday. We have been attempting to line up Ms. Siddika Mithani, but we have not received a response. Then you came up with two more.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
If we do that on Friday, could we carve out some time for drafting instructions?
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
Would you mind carving out drafting instructions next week, after we have had time to absorb today's testimony and Friday's testimony? I don't think we need more than 30 minutes for drafting instructions.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
With great respect to my colleague, of course, I wonder what the rationale is for having another meeting. We've had, by my count, seven hours and 13 witnesses already by tonight, and not just on the government side. We even had an opposition member say they ran out of questions.
I'm not looking at you, Michael. You are an opposition member who never tires of asking questions, and you always ask very good ones.
I'll make the point, again, that I think we've run the course on the issue. I don't know if Mr. Bergeron or my colleague in the NDP has views on whether or not we need another meeting, but those are many hours and many witnesses. I'm not sure what would be gained, frankly, and most importantly, by having another meeting on Monday.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
We did originally schedule two meetings. I think we've been quite generous with our committee time.
Mr. Chong, please go ahead.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
Look, I'm asking for one more meeting. Dick Fadden is the former director of CSIS. I think he could add valuable insight into the time frames that we have been investigating here—whether they were appropriate, whether they took too long, and what should be different.
He's coming willingly, as I understand it, as a witness to our committee. I think that is valuable testimony.
The other two or three or witnesses we've invited were actually involved in the transfer of the viruses and the applications for the transfers, and also the policies regarding restricted visitors to the lab.
It would be the final meeting. I waited three long years to get to this point. Just one more meeting, Mr. Chair, would be entirely appropriate, and then we could easily set some time aside—I don't think we need more than half an hour for drafting instructions—and then the study would be largely done.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
I do not want to put them on the spot, but I'd like to hear from my opposition colleagues because, yes, while Mr. Fadden is a respected former director of CSIS, we've heard from the current director no less than three times. With great respect to my colleague, I don't know what we would gain by having Mr. Fadden come when we've already had the current director give lengthy testimony, including his thoughts on recommendations on all of this.
However, like I said, I'm not going to belabour the point here.
Liberal
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
Mr. Chair, I would simply say that the fact that we have not submitted any other witness lists indicates that we believe we have covered the issue.
That said, I understand that our Conservative colleagues would like one last meeting, which I am not particularly keen on. However, if they feel that it would add to the information we already have, how could we, short of muzzling them, prevent this other meeting from taking place?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
Why don't we proceed with Friday, then? We know Mr. Fadden does intend to appear. If the others can be coaxed into appearing, we have a deal. If not, we will wrap it on Friday.
Okay?
Liberal
Jean Yip Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
In the spirit of being fair, you asked Mr. Bergeron, but we didn't hear from, is it Ms. Barron for the NDP?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
I think that would put Ms. Barron on the spot given that she's had about an hour of experience.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
Ms. Barron, have you heard from your whip? She has actually, to this point, been a regular member of this committee.
NDP
Lisa Marie Barron NDP Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC
Thank you, Chair.
The only information I can contribute is that my colleagues are okay with going ahead with witnesses on Friday. Anything further I'll leave to my colleague to be able to answer those questions.
Thank you.