Canadian Heritage Committee on Feb. 13th, 2023

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Martin. I think that your time is now up.

I'll go to the NDP, Mr. Julian.

Peter, you have two and half minutes. Thank you.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

We're going to have to, of course, go through all the old applications, new applications, the old contribution agreement, the new contribution agreement. I am, as I think we all are around this table, concerned about the length of time that this took. Really, essentially from the point of first clearly identifying the hateful anti-Semitism that was being funded by the federal government to actually ending the contract took over two months. With the rise of white supremacy, the rise in hate, we can't have a federal government that takes that long to respond to egregious cases of hate being disseminated whether that's online or any other venue.

When you talk about the measures that have been put into place, what are the measures that would mean that if something comes to light, if something is identified with the department or in the ongoing vetting that's taking place within the department, there can be a rapid end to that contract? The reality is that it undermines confidence in our federal government when we have federal government funds going to a person or an organization that is propagating vicious anti-Semitic comments and hateful messages.

[Mala Khanna]

It's a very important question that you're raising, sir.

The contract was suspended on August 19. The new changes that we have brought into force would allow for the minister, depending on the severity of the situation—so in a situation such as this—to be able to terminate the agreement immediately.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

In the case where it is identified on July 18, it becomes something that the minister is aware of on July 26. On August 2, the first steps are taken. What do you think the timeline would be now in the new framework?

How long would that take if we're taking July 18 as the starting point? How long would it be before that contract would be ended?

[Mala Khanna]

I understand the question.

I think it will always depend on the complexity of the facts. I will say that we could have moved faster on this case. It was clear. We could have moved faster. I wish we had moved faster. I think in a situation such as this one the measures we put in place—again, I hope very much and I'm confident—will make a difference. If we were in such a situation again, I believe we would be able to move more quickly, in a matter of days.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Ms. Khanna.

Peter, your time is up.

I want to thank the two witnesses, Ms. Khanna and Mr. Slowey.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

I have a point of order, Chair.

We are close to the end of a round. We still do have a bit of time. I am wondering about something. The original motion said that an entire committee meeting would be dedicated to this. At the last minute that was changed, unbeknownst to this committee, aside from a notice that was sent to us only a couple of days ago.

First, I'm curious as to why that change was made by you, unilaterally, as the chair.

Second, I am wondering if you would then allow for this round to be completed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I think the round is completed, Mrs. Thomas.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

If you wouldn't mind checking with the clerk on that, that would be great.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I can tell you because I keep the time on a stopwatch here.

The round comprises four political parties. The Conservatives, the Liberals, the Bloc Québécois and the NDP have just completed the second round, and we were going to do those two rounds.

Thank you very much.

[An hon. member]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I'd like to know who is raising the point of order.

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

It's Marilyn Gladu, Madam Chair.

Actually, the round is not finished. There is a Conservative and then a Liberal to go.

I think it's the will of the committee that we have at least one Conservative question and perhaps one Liberal question with the limited time that we have.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I'm sorry, Marilyn. You are absolutely right. I did not factor that in.

I apologize to the committee.

I am going to start again with the Conservatives. I don't know who's going to ask the question.

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

It will be me.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

I would share the concern that we actually need to take more time. I have more questions for our witnesses. I don't understand why the agenda was changed, but I do agree that we should allow more time.

I would suggest not only completing this round but also doing one further round if other members are in agreement. There are a lot of questions that we still have to ask.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I will ask for unanimous consent on this, but I do think it also depends on whether the witnesses are able to stay for that extra time.

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Madam Chair, I'm seeing indications that the witnesses are able to stay, so I think there's unanimous consent for that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Is there unanimous consent?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

What we will do is finish this round with Marilyn, and then Mr. Housefather will do the second five minutes for the Liberals. We could then go into a third round.

Thank you.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

A point of order, Madam Chair.

I like my Liberal friends a lot, but there seems to be a pretty big gang of them around the table right now. Is every member present? It's rare.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We are allowed, as you know, Martin, to have other MPs attend, and I think we have a few MPs who are interested in just being here to listen.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Okay.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Begin again, Marilyn, for five minutes.