Information & Ethics Committee on Nov. 29th, 2007

[Gérard Asselin, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I think Mr. Del Mastro will vote against his colleague's motion because he does, indeed, wish to continue. We all wish to continue. We wish to take advantage of the presence of the numerous journalists who will be reporting on today's evidence.

From the very outset, with the motion that has just been tabled, Mr. Chairman, the Conservative Party is wasting our time. It is wasting everyone's time, even that of the witness, whom it was very difficult for us to have come here.

I am asking that we proceed immediately, Mr. Chairman, even if that means holding the vote right away in order to be able to move forward. We are big girls and boys and we could always decide to prolong our discussions this afternoon and this evening.

The Conservatives' intent is perhaps to have us sit in the middle of the night, in the hope that no reporters would be in the room. That is what would suit them, Mr. Chairman. It is in the Conservatives' interest to have all of this affair swept under the carpet.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Okay.

I have three more speakers on the list, and then I think we'll move to the question.

I have Mr. Thibault, Madame Lavallée, and finally Mr. Tilson. Then we will put the question.

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

Mr. Chair, just to reiterate, if it's acceptable that Mr. Schreiber needs some time to review his documents.... I don't know what a couple of hours this afternoon would do. We've lost an hour now debating this motion.

I propose that we go to the vote--I understand that you'll hear two more speakers--and then that we come on Tuesday after Mr. Schreiber has had time to consider our questions and documents himself.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Thank you.

Go ahead, Madame Lavallée.

You have the floor.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Might I ask for the vote, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

We are moving to the vote. Thank you.

We'll have Mr. Tilson, finally, and then we will put the question.

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Chairman, as I understand it, this witness has been served with a summons. And then he was served with a Speaker's warrant. I believe that he's had all the time in the world to prepare for this thing.

I cannot believe that his counsel hasn't been to see him when these documents were served on him. I cannot believe that.

We want to proceed with this matter. This committee has given him notice. This committee said to be here today to proceed, and he's saying, “Well, sorry, I'm not ready. I'm not ready to proceed today. I need more time. I need to get some papers from Switzerland, Toronto, and Ottawa.”

I find that unacceptable. I am prepared to proceed now. However, I understand why.... I'm prepared to support the motion and not delay it until next week, which is what the opposition is suggesting, but start right today. And I understand if he needs some time this afternoon, considering the time he's already had. He's already had time to consult with his counsel, at least two counsel. He has a counsel here and he has Mr. Greenspan he's been talking to. He's been having all kinds of consultations. So he's ready.

And I propose that we meet tonight, as the motion says.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Thank you.

I'm going to read the motion into the record now. This is Mr. Hiebert who says, “I move that at the conclusion of this committee meeting, this committee reconvenes at 7 p.m. and/or tomorrow after the Ontario Court of Appeal has heard Mr. Schreiber's application.”

That's the motion before you.

(Motion negatived)

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

We will now move to Mr. Thibault for his seven-minute round.

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you for being here, Mr. Schreiber. Are you getting the interpretation?

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Let's take the time to make sure Mr. Schreiber can have the translation.

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

While Mr. Schreiber prepares, may I raise what I suppose is a point of order? It's just for clarification.

I want to say that we don't object to the ruling you made on signing in people while the regular members are still present, but we'd like to make sure we will be operating that way going forward, because my understanding is that it's different from the regular rules and from what's done by other committees.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

I'm advised that this practice has been acceptable in committees, and that yes, we will able to sign in members.

Mr. Thibault, can you speak few works of French to see that Mr. Schreiber's getting the English?

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

Mr. Schreiber, did you reach an agreement with Mr. Mulroney in June 1993, when he was still Prime Minister, enjoining you to procure money for him, either directly or through a third party?

[Karlheinz Schreiber]

I rest on my statement and I will not answer this question. I have nothing to say at this time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

May I interject that whenever there is a question that you need your papers for, you say, “Defer”, and that will take care of it. Okay?

[Karlheinz Schreiber]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Okay.

Mr. Thibault, please continue.

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

Did you, Mr. Schreiber, or anyone in association with you, give to Brian Mulroney a cash payment of $100,000 in August of 1993 while he was still a member of Parliament?

[Karlheinz Schreiber]

Defer.

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

You defer; okay.

Did you attempt to make Prime Minister Harper aware of the fact that such transactions took place, and that some of them took place while Mr. Mulroney was still an elected official?

[Karlheinz Schreiber]

Defer.

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

How many letters have you written to Mr. Harper, and how many did you receive in response from him or from anyone in his office?

[Karlheinz Schreiber]

Defer.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Point of order, Mr. Chairman.