Canadian Heritage Committee on June 2nd, 2016

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

It was done before that, so there was a lot more time for people to respond.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Yes, but it must be done upon the committee receiving the order of reference. That is the rule that we have adopted here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Obviously, when this was done the day before, given what was passed by this committee in terms of a motion that we had passed, not unanimously but by a majority, that in fact if this were to be referred to the committee that there should be.... The clerk acted on what the will of the committee was at that meeting on Tuesday, Mr. Van Loan.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

However, that does not change this rule. Can you tell me which independent members were written to?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

All of them.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Who were all of them?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Mr. Van Loan, I think we all know who the members of Parliament are in this House. If the clerk says he wrote to all of them, then he did.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

I'll be more specific.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I don't think you could have him—

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Did you write to the member from Nunavut?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

All members were sent—

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Including the member for Nunavut?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I gather he is a member of Parliament, Mr. Van Loan. Therefore, if the clerk says he wrote to all—

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

I'm asking the clerk to please answer. Did you write to the member for Nunavut?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Mr. Van Loan, I don't think that one should badger the clerk. He has said that all members of the House of Commons, including independent members, were written to. It is my understanding that the member for Nunavut—

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

I received nothing.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You were at the meeting, Mr. Van Loan.

I understand you sent a list of witnesses to the clerk. Therefore, you were well aware that this was coming to the House and you were well aware of what the House decided on Tuesday. So all of the members of the House were written to, and that would include the member for Nunavut.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Did that include the member for Nunavut? Could I have the clerk—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

It would include all members. Are we going to—

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

I'm asking the clerk, not you, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

The clerk did answer. He said he wrote to all members, including independent members.

I don't know how else he can answer it but reiterate his answer over and over.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Could he please say that? I didn't hear it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Would you say that please, Mr. Clerk, that you wrote to all members.

[The Clerk]

Yes, to my knowledge everybody was aware of—

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Every member of Parliament, not just independents.