Evidence of meeting #9 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was countries.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:10 p.m.
Member, Outreach Working Group, Canadian Youth Delegation to Bali
That's right.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
Let me explore the non-partisan nature a little further if I could.
This quote is from the official website of Liberal McGill. “Liberal McGill is the official arm of the Liberals”...I imagine that's an error...“Party of Canada on campus at McGill University”. An article you wrote, Mr. Lavoie, quotes you as the president of Liberal McGill, and I think it's now former president of Liberal McGill. There are articles also from The McGill Tribune, quoting you as president of Liberal McGill and president of the official arm of the Liberal Party of Canada on campus. If I might ask, did you attend the Liberal Party leadership convention as a delegate, or are you here as a member of the Liberal Party today? Do you stand by this as being non-partisan?
5:10 p.m.
Member, Outreach Working Group, Canadian Youth Delegation to Bali
No, and I have to preface anything I say by emphasizing and repeating that the CYD is a non-partisan organization. It is comprised of various individuals who belong to all political parties and some of them none. Some might have trouble explaining the political process to you but are experts on the science. It is a non-partisan organization.
Yes, I did do work for the Liberal Party of Canada. I'm proud of my record of civic engagement, but I'm not here in that capacity. I wasn't chosen in that capacity. I did attend the convention, but not as a delegate.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
Okay.
Delegates from your organization were repeatedly making claims that Minister Baird and the Canadian delegation were obstructing negotiations.
Just for the record, at the conference in Bali, how many of the negotiating sessions did you or members of the youth delegation participate in?
5:10 p.m.
Member, Outreach Working Group, Canadian Youth Delegation to Bali
There is no way for me to tell you that. I don't know because so much of it was left to....
We had a policy group. I was part of the outreach group. So we had our different jobs to do. The policy group people attended the sessions, and the tasks got distributed within those groups.
I could get back to you with the answer, but I don't have it ready for you.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
Perhaps some of your members were behind the closed doors negotiating?
5:15 p.m.
Member, Outreach Working Group, Canadian Youth Delegation to Bali
I'm sorry if I misunderstood.
Are you asking me about the closed-door negotiations?
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
Yes.
How many negotiating sessions did members of your organization attend?
5:15 p.m.
Member, Outreach Working Group, Canadian Youth Delegation to Bali
I'm not aware that our members attended any closed-door negotiations.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
We just heard Mr. Shugart explain the Canadian delegation's perspective that they weren't obstructing negotiations there.
You weren't participating in the negotiations. Isn't it fair to say that it's hearsay and that you're presenting what you believe to be testimony from other people who might have been in that room? You've heard none of this directly, but you'll make the allegation.
Was Mr. Shugart, from the Canadian delegation, lying here today when he suggested they weren't obstructing the negotiations?
5:15 p.m.
Member, Outreach Working Group, Canadian Youth Delegation to Bali
Well, was the head of the German delegation lying when she said they didn't see the Canadian position as constructive?
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
I asked you a question, Mr. Lavoie, and I'd like an answer. I asked a very direct question.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Point of order, Mr. Chairman. I don't think it's appropriate to be badgering the witness.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Chairman, the witness should be able to answer a question and not be badgered.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
But, you know, when you play with fire you can expect to get fire back.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
I don't understand. I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman, I don't know what you're suggesting. Mr. Chairman, maybe you want to explain what you're suggesting.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
I was once like Mr. Lavoie. I respect what he has to say and obviously that is his style. I believe Mr. Watson has his style, and I think I'll let him proceed.
Mr. Watson, if you could let him answer....
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I hope it will be a direct answer.
Thank you, Mr. Regan, for interrupting.
5:15 p.m.
Member, Outreach Working Group, Canadian Youth Delegation to Bali
Could you repeat your question?
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
The question was about hearing Mr. Shugart testify today that Canadians weren't obstructing the negotiations. You've made claims about the negotiating sessions, but weren't in any of them to be able to witness whether there was obstruction or not.
Are you accusing the Canadian delegation, and Mr. Shugart specifically here today, of lying?
5:15 p.m.
Member, Outreach Working Group, Canadian Youth Delegation to Bali
No, I am not accusing him of lying. That's the direct answer to your question.
If his definition of obstruction is different from ours, and if his definition of success is different from ours, or—
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
It's not about interpretation, but about the quality of evidence and whether what you are saying is direct or indirect.