Evidence of meeting #40 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was point.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Richard Rumas

An hon. member

I still have the floor, right?

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

Yes.

Please, the relevance issue of the Bloc is--

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC

This is important, because in your ruling you said that other parties could be political parties or individuals.

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

Who are public officers--but it has to be within our mandate.

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC

A political party can't be a public office holder, yet you said that was one of the categories.

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

No.

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON

Yes, you did.

An hon. member

You did.

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

Excuse me?

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON

Mr. Chair, can you just answer one question?

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

Order.

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON

Are you agreeing that a party cannot be a public office holder? Are you agreeing to that?

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

Excuse me. Order, please.

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON

Are you agreeing to that question?

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

Order, please. That's the third time.

Do you want one more?

Listen. I want to try to give you the explanation, because you're very skilled at putting words in people's mouths.

An hon. member

That's exactly what he said.

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

I will indicate to you that when we say “investigating the actions of the Conservative Party”, the Conservative Party is not a public office holder.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

We understand that, but we are dealing with the ethical practices of the persons named by Elections Canada. Okay?

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC

That's not what it says. It says:

...investigate the actions of the Conservative Party of Canada during the 2006 election.

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

And it says:

...to determine if these actions meet the ethical standards expected of public office holders.

It is with regard to the candidates.

An hon. member

It says the party, not the candidates.

An hon. member

It doesn't say “investigate the candidates”; it says “investigate...the Conservative Party of Canada”.

An hon. member

This is out of order.

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

No.