Evidence of meeting #35 for Canadian Heritage in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was justice.
A video is available from Parliament.
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
2:45 p.m.
Liberal
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Dr. Geist makes things very clear when he says, “There is simply no debating that” by removing section 4.1, “the bill now applies to user-generated content, since all audiovisual content is treated as a program under the act.”
Do you agree with that? Is that a correct statement?
2:45 p.m.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
I believe you're quoting Professor Michael Geist. I will defer to my colleague Minister Guilbeault to answer that question.
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
It's okay, Mr. Lametti, the question was for you. If you'd prefer not to answer, you can state that publicly.
2:45 p.m.
Laurier—Sainte-Marie Québec
Liberal
Steven Guilbeault LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage
I'd be happy to answer the question, Mr. Chair.
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
The question was for Mr. Lametti, and it is my time, so I get to direct it to a witness of my choosing.
2:45 p.m.
Liberal
2:45 p.m.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
—I am here to answer questions with respect to the charter statement.
2:45 p.m.
Liberal
2:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Ms. Harder, as you know by now, you can direct a question to a particular member; that is true. However, that person is not compelled by anyone here to answer the direct question. They're not even compelled to be here, whether they are an MP or a senator, and it's the same practice we have in the House of Commons.
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
I do understand what you're saying. I know that Mr. Lametti doesn't have to answer my question. However, at the same time, when we have other witnesses here, one witness doesn't get to pass the question on to another. It is up to the speaker to determine which witness is being asked the question. If Mr. Lametti doesn't want to use my time to answer the question, he doesn't need to, but he doesn't get to pass it off to Minister Guilbeault.
2:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
I understand that, Ms. Harder, but with all due respect, witnesses of the same organization pass questions to each other quite often, and ministers have always, at least in my close to 19 years of being here, looked to officials as well. It's just something we do.
I understand that you're frustrated. I used to get frustrated too; I know where you're coming from. However, I—
2:50 p.m.
Liberal