Information & Ethics Committee on Nov. 27th, 2007

[Rob Walsh]

Mr. Chairman, that's really at the call of the committee as to whether it wants to proceed with the witness, without the witness having the benefit of those documents. It certainly could, if it wished to do so, and then afford an opportunity for the witness to come back later. It's really a matter of how the committee wants to manage its business.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Thank you.

I would ask, therefore, all honourable members to consider coming to the meeting prepared with plan B or C or D. What do we do if Mr. Schreiber does not have his papers, has not prepared an opening statement, has not had a chance to consult with...? Then we need to have a recommendation and motion. I'm going to consider those motions to address that discussion at the committee, should that occur.

First of all, I'd like to hear from Mr. Walsh on this.

[Rob Walsh]

Not having papers is not a licence to not answer a question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Of course, but we need to discuss it. I want members to please consider that, because it is a possibility.

Mr. Martin, do you have a point on this issue?

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

With the motion we just passed to make a report to the House and up the clout we have as a committee to the House itself--Parliament having him here--I don't think we need to worry too much about keeping him here past the extradition order.

If we go through the steps in my motion, which just passed in amended form, we'll be making a report to the House that the Speaker will have the authority to intervene with all the weight of a House order and a Speaker's warrant. So if Mr. Schreiber is not quite fully prepared on Thursday, we'll see him again on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday if we have to, and past December 1.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Thank you.

Mr. Walsh, please.

[Rob Walsh]

There's a very important point here that may be slipping by members. I don't mean to dance on the words of Mr. Martin, but it's frequently said--including by the minister in his two letters--that there will be no extradition before December 1. Don't let that language cause you to think that on December 1 some guillotine will fall and he'll be on Lufthansa and gone. It may well be some time later. The minister has never said, as I recall, that it will happen on December 1; he has just said it won't happen before December 1.

I appreciate your caution and your concern.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

He has led us to believe that it will be December 1.

[Rob Walsh]

He may want you to believe that, but the fact is he said it won't happen before that date. So don't think this whole thing will end for you on December 1. It may not.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Thank you.

Colleagues, before I bang the gavel to end this meeting, I want everyone to know that I am very grateful for the excellent work that was done by Mr. Walsh and his staff, Mr. Lee, our clerk and the assistants; and for the support we received from other persons as needed. It's much appreciated. Thank you kindly.

The steering committee will be at 3:30 this afternoon in room 208, West Block.

The meeting is adjourned.