Declaration of Emergency Committee on April 26th, 2022

[Commr Brenda Lucki]

Yes.

[Larry W. Campbell]

Can you advise us of what actions the RCMP took in relation to security on the Hill as the agency responsible for the management of PPS?

[Commr Brenda Lucki]

First and foremost, we ensured that Parliament Hill did not give access to any types of vehicles and protesters. For the parliamentarians themselves, we provided a service. When things started to get tense, we determined that the threat was higher for parliamentarians walking to and from Parliament. We provided a staging area that allowed for parliamentarians to meet, if they so wished, to get driven to Parliament. We also provided additional security for the Senate.

The last thing we did was in regard to how, when we were getting into more kinetic enforcement actions, we closed Parliament for one day to ensure that there were no people coming back and forth. As I said earlier, we were also part of the national capital region command centre, providing assistance with various resources.

[Larry W. Campbell]

Thank you, Chair.

[The Joint Chair, Bloc, Rhéal Fortin]

Thank you.

I now give the floor to Mr. Brock for four minutes.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister, for your attendance today.

I would like to start off by questioning Ms. Lucki, Commissioner of the RCMP.

Ms. Lucki, do you acknowledge and agree that the RCMP is independent of the federal government and is free to investigate without influence?

[Commr Brenda Lucki]

Yes.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Has the RCMP ever been influenced and/or deterred by the federal government to investigate a criminal matter?

[Commr Brenda Lucki]

Not to my knowledge.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Is the RCMP free from any influence or direction by the federal government to lay a criminal charge?

[Commr Brenda Lucki]

Absolutely.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

If the subject matter of an investigation is the Prime Minister himself, are you concerned about any government interference or reprisal?

[Commr Brenda Lucki]

No.

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Can I ask, on a point of order, Mr. Fortin, what the relevance of this line of questioning is? I think you're extending a large degree of latitude. I have yet to see any relevance—

[The Joint Chair, Bloc, Rhéal Fortin]

I find it hard to see the relevance of these questions. If I feel they aren't relevant, I'll adopt your view, but I think we can let Mr. Brock continue for the moment.

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

We're looking at the necessity of the measures that were undertaken pursuant to the scope motion that Mr. Brock himself voted for, and that's with respect to the enforcement measures taken under the Emergencies Act.

[The Joint Chair, Bloc, Rhéal Fortin]

I suggest we listen to Mr. Brock explain why he has chosen to direct his questions in this way.

I imagine they're related, Mr. Brock.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

I have two more questions.

Ms. Lucki, are you aware that today in the House during question period, the Prime Minister admitted that he did not give himself permission to accept a free vacation from a federal lobbyist?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

That's completely irrelevant.

[The Joint Chair, Bloc, Rhéal Fortin]

Mr. Brock, I'm going to have to agree with Mr. Virani. Unless you have an explanation for me, I don't think your question directly relates to the study we're conducting on the emergency declaration.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

With respect, Mr. Chair, and to my colleague from the Liberal government who raised the point of order, I respectfully disagree.

The Prime Minister is the head of government. The Prime Minister was the lead voice in the invocation of the Emergencies Act. He is now under a cloud of suspicion with respect to the offence of fraud. Fraud is an offence of dishonesty. Dishonesty involves the matter of integrity and character, and Canadians have a right—

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

I think Mr. Brock has made his point, and you've made a ruling—

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

I have the floor right now and I'd like to continue my response, thank you.

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Monsieur Fortin, you've made a ruling. If we need to vote to endorse that ruling, I'm happy to call a vote.

[The Joint Chair, Bloc, Rhéal Fortin]

I want us to let Mr. Brock explain.

I just said I don't think Mr. Brock's remarks are relevant. However, he'd like to present his arguments and try to convince us otherwise. I was listening to him, but so far he hasn't changed my mind. I'm nevertheless going to let him explain himself.

Mr. Brock, have you finished your explanation?