Evidence of meeting #13 for Declaration of Emergency in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A video is available from Parliament.
Senator, Ontario, CSG
I understand. That's what I'm saying. It's not something we've never done before. We have done this before. For the Queen's visit previously, we froze certain areas, particularly in front of Wellington Street.
Senator, Ontario, CSG
Were any of you involved in any discussions with the office of the mayor while that office was negotiating with the convoy protesters?
Acting Director, Parliamentary Protective Service
Through you, Mr. Chair, yes. I attempted a call with the mayor. At first, he accepted my invitation. It was the same day I had a follow-up discussion with Chief Sloly, but then my team received notification back that the mayor was not available.
I tried to make notification with the city manager, Steve Kanellakos, and the same response came back.
Senator, Ontario, CSG
We know the outcome of those negotiations. I think most of us have seen the letter that came from the mayor's office, which was later rescinded as a result of the convoy's refusal to follow it.
Do you know if the police service or the RCMP was involved in that negotiation?
Acting Director, Parliamentary Protective Service
Through you, Mr. Chair, I'm not aware of any involvement by either policing—
Sergeant-at-Arms and Corporate Security Officer, House of Commons
I'm not aware.
Senator, Ontario, CSG
In hindsight, do you feel that information was shared sufficiently between the law enforcement agencies and parliamentary precinct security?
Go ahead, Larry.
Acting Director, Parliamentary Protective Service
Through you, Mr. Chair, I do, Senator.
Acting Director, Parliamentary Protective Service
As it was being provided to me, keeping me abreast as to what the.... It was not the service, to be clear. It was not the service being part of the creation of the tactical response, but when that was put in place, it was giving us an FYI.
A case in point is keeping us abreast when the operation was under way. We were well informed to ensure that we needed to take the necessary measures.
Senator, Ontario, CSG
Thank you.
At any point in time did you see...? Our understanding is there was a removal plan that was to be followed prior to the invocation. We've heard the RCMP speak to that.
Were you able to see that plan that was going to take place the weekend prior to the invocation of the Emergencies Act?
Acting Director, Parliamentary Protective Service
Through you, Mr. Chair, no, Senator.
Acting Director, Parliamentary Protective Service
Through you, Mr. Chair, again, Senator White, I rely heavily on those policing partners to do what they're mandated to do and then on what they choose to share with me.
NDP
The Joint Chair NDP Matthew Green
That concludes the opening round.
We'll now go into the second four-minute round, beginning with Mr. Brock.
Mr. Brock, you have four minutes. The floor is yours.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all the witnesses for your attendance today and your participation in this extremely important study. I want to thank you for your service.
I want to do some housekeeping before I get into some more substantive issues. I want to clarify with Mr. Brookson and Mr. McDonell that neither of you personally, nor any member of your staff, requested the invocation of the act by the government.
Is that correct?
Acting Director, Parliamentary Protective Service
Through you, Mr. Chair, that is correct.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
I understand, Mr. Brookson, that you testified at a previous committee, I believe in June 2022, and you're quoted as saying there was “no benefit whatsoever in the invocation of the Emergencies Act for the service”. That's a statement that you stand by today. Is that correct?
Acting Director, Parliamentary Protective Service
Mr. Chair, that's correct.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Thank you.
To Mr. Brookson, in that same previous testimony, you stated that you were “flabbergasted” that activities that could constitute criminal activity were happening right in front of law enforcement. The former chief of the Ottawa Police Service, Mr. Peter Sloly, issued a warning through the press, hours before the truckers arrived on January 28, that any protesters who broke the law would be prosecuted. He stated, “Let me be very clear. We are prepared to investigate, arrest if necessary, charge and prosecute anyone who acts violently or breaks the law in the demonstrations or in association with the demonstrations.”
Notwithstanding those strong words, you and your staff witnessed the complete opposite, while law enforcement stood by and allowed those activities to occur. Is that correct?