Information & Ethics Committee on June 19th, 2006

[J. Alan Leadbeater]

You just heard my evidence, which is what I told the journalists.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Well, the evidence I have before me, sir, is actually the article.

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

Order. Just a minute.

Mr. Kenney, I don't believe the witness has ever said that he made those comments. You have imported.... So then ask him that question.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

A fair point, sir.

Did you say the following: “The magnitude of the proposed secrecy shift in the (Accountability Act) sends a powerful signal to the bureaucracy that the government values secrecy over openness.” Do you recall having said that?

[J. Alan Leadbeater]

No, I do not.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

So you deny having said that.

[J. Alan Leadbeater]

I have testified as to what I told all journalists who I spoke to.

[Jim Peterson, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

I wish I'd said it. It was accurate. I'll take credit for it.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

There you go. Well, I wish you were an officer of Parliament too, Jim.

Mr. Chairman, my question, though, is—

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

May I ask you something?

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

I'm not asking any questions, sir.

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

Okay, go ahead.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

It's actually a cross-examination process where we seek evidence.

So, Mr. Leadbeater, you say that you talked to this journalist in advance but you did not say the comments that were attributed to a source? You're insisting that this was a different source.

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

That's what he said.

[J. Alan Leadbeater]

I don't think it helps if you ask me the same question over and over again. I think my evidence is on the record.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Well, no. I'm asking you, sir, to clarify. You categorically are certain that was not your comment?

[J. Alan Leadbeater]

Mr. Chairman, I've answered this question twice, three times now.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Are you categorically certain? Can you say yes or no?

[J. Alan Leadbeater]

I did not say the words that you have just quoted. I said to all journalists, “You can read the government's...” In fact, I even probably said “open government act” to every journalist in the past, since we've tabled it.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

And that's all you said?

[J. Alan Leadbeater]

I briefed every journalist I could on what the commissioner's position is on the open government act.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Okay. I'd like to ask Commissioner Reid if he's at all concerned about the fact that we're now in this area of ambiguity, whether or not members of his staff.... Did he pursue the possibility that members of his staff had effectively leaked contents of the report to journalists prior to its tabling in Parliament?

[John Reid]

The only possible leak would have been the provision of advance copies to Minister Baird's office.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

I've spoken to the—

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

Let him finish, Mr. Kenney. Then you can go to your question.