Evidence of meeting #5 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 question.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
I have given what are, in effect, the conclusions that we reached as a result of the charter analyses that we did in each case.
With respect to litigation upcoming, I'm glad you raised that because that's sadly another form of privilege, which is litigation privilege. The Attorney General will make arguments in court in those cases. I think we will prevail, but you will see those arguments when we make them.
I will not impede our arguments by giving those arguments now.
NDP
The Joint Chair NDP Matthew Green
Perhaps you're not impeding the arguments, but you're certainly impeding the process through which we can get clarity.
There's an opportunity among us right now, within this committee, whether it's at this meeting or the next, to just be honest with Canadians about the evidence and the facts pertaining to the measures that you chose.
I think what's frustrating in this process is that I'm of the opinion—and I supported this—that much was missed in the analysis of the threat to national security as defined under paragraph 2(d) of the CSIS Act, though I take them at their word, and also, quite frankly, in the ability of the government to communicate clearly to Canadians about what the actual facts were.
There are going to be lots of debates around this table in these upcoming weeks and months, and motions to provide information, for which we've been sworn in at this special committee. I would just put it to the minister, in closing, whether he would consider, given what's at stake here, being more co-operative with this committee and forthcoming on the facts.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
Mr. Chair, I would like to respond briefly to that comment.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
I understand your frustrations, Mr. Green.
As Attorney General, I also have a duty to protect solicitor-client privilege, which enables Canadians, not just in government but across Canada, to get good, honest legal advice even when it's not what they want to hear. That's a virtue as well.
Obviously, I will continue to work with you and Canadians to build that trust, but Canadians, I think, will understand that, as Attorney General, I have to protect that privilege.
Bloc
The Joint Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin
Thank you, Minister.
I now give the floor to Mr. Carignan for three minutes.
Senator, Quebec (Mille Isles), C
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Minister, I want to continue with the questions I was asking you earlier, particularly concerning sources of funding.
From what I understand, it's clear in your mind that you didn't seize the bank accounts because the money came from illegal sources. The goal was to prevent people from using their money for purposes related to their trucks, which were on Wellington Street, to prevent them, for example, from using their debit cards to buy food and fuel.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
First, Mr. Carignan, as I emphasized, we didn't seize anything.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
You can say that we seized accounts, but that wasn't the case.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
We actually froze the accounts because we wanted to block all direct and indirect support for an illegal activity, whether it involved trucks or money. This is incidentally a measure that's used to combat terrorism and tax evasion. These are known tools that we can use under our act. We used them in the circumstances to address the situation, and I have to say it worked.
Senator, Quebec (Mille Isles), C
It definitely worked. Look, I can kill a fly with a flyswatter, with my foot or with a tank. The fly will be dead in each case. However, the force of the tool used should be proportional to the situation.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
I think it was very much in proportion to the situation. We froze funds, but we didn't seize anything. The assets were still available to…
Senator, Quebec (Mille Isles), C
So you're saying that people were still able to withdraw their money from the bank and that their money was not unavailable at any time.
Liberal
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
No. I said that the bank accounts became accessible again once the illegal activities stopped.
Senator, Quebec (Mille Isles), C
In your mind, that's consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, isn't it?
Senator, Quebec (Mille Isles), C
You are the Attorney General of Canada and you're telling us that.
Liberal
Senator, Quebec (Mille Isles), C
Yes, but under an act that authorizes it.