Information & Ethics Committee on May 13th, 2010

[Carole Freeman, Bloc, Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, QC]

Yes, Mr. Chair. I would very much like to explain why I am moving this motion today.

We have heard from many political staff members on the issue of allegations of political interference by ministers' offices. In this motion, I am asking that the committee hear from individuals who are mandated by the minister, the access to information coordinators, so they can explain the procedure they follow in the case of an access to information request, and whether there is political interference or not. The names of the five witnesses I want to invite are indicated in my motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Are there any further comments from the committee on the request for these additional witnesses? Are we okay? All right. I'll put the question, then. All those in--

[Voices]

No.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Peace River, AB]

In terms... I'm just a little bit confused, and I do ask your indulgence, as I'm not a regular committee member here. Today we were discussing the issue as it relates to media requests. I would just ask for some clarification in terms of how this relates to the current study. I know that we're speaking now to ATI requests.

I'm wondering if Madame Freeman could just enlighten me in terms of how this ties into the current study: who these people are specifically and what their roles are, as well as how their testimony is pertinent to the particular study we are undertaking right now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Okay. Mr. Warkentin, do you have a copy of the motion?

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Peace River, AB]

I haven't received it, Mr. Chair, and I'm wondering if I could get somebody to hand it over. That would be helpful. Now, in terms--

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

All of the persons being asked for are access to information officers--

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Peace River, AB]

Right. Now--

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

--which relates directly to the Easter motion about the...and it deals specifically with the delay. Anyway--

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Peace River, AB]

Mr. Chair, that's precisely my question, I guess. I apologize, Mr. Chair. I'm not a regular attendee at this committee. This isn't a committee that I sit on. I am here to replace, but I do think it's important that I understand it because I'm going to be asked to vote on it.

I'm asking how these witnesses apply to the particular motion that this entire study is based on. So maybe some clarity in terms of what the original motion was would be helpful for me, Mr. Chair. I'm just seeking clarity on that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Mr. Warkentin, if you're not familiar with the actual motion we're studying and you haven't seen this, I appreciate that it puts you in an awkward situation. I wonder if you could consult with one of your colleagues to see whether they have reviewed the motion--they have both--and to see if they share those concerns or if they may be able to respond to you. So maybe we'll come back to you--

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Peace River, AB]

Sure.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

--and maybe you'll hear from someone who has actually seen the principal motion before us and Madame Freeman's motion.

Is there any...?

Mrs. Davidson, please.

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. My only question is whether it's in order with the 48-hour rule. Do we need to follow the 48-hour rule in this instance?

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

No. Motions are in order with respect to the order of the day before you. If it were a motion for other business, such as looking into Google search, that would require 48 hours' notice. This is the matter before us now. Okay?

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. You've answered my question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Thank you.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I believe that we do have a study open on Google right now, so it would not be forbidden for us to introduce a motion on that subject.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

It's only with regard to what the committee is currently working on. We are dealing right now with the Easter motion. Any motions from committee members with regard to the work currently being done are not subject to the 48-hour rule. If it's about changing our calendar, for example, to move an item to another time, that's something that would require notice. Okay?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Right.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

So the members could prepare.

But because we're dealing with the Easter motion, everybody is engaged in what that is all about and this is to supplement the witness list that we agreed upon. So we are working on the Easter motion. These are represented as people who will be able to assist the committee—

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

But you do agree there's an ongoing study on the issue of Google?

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Absolutely.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Okay. I just wanted to make sure because that was an important component of the committee's work.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Okay. Are we all done?

All right. All those in favour of the motion? Opposed?

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Carried. Thank you.

I have to apologize.

First of all, Mr. Larose, I am very sorry to hear about the passing of your father. I know that it's a very difficult time and I hope that you and your family will find peace soon.

Welcome to our witnesses, Patricia Valladao, chief, media relations, and Peter Larose, assistant deputy minister, public affairs and stakeholder relations, from the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

We have half an hour left. We had hoped to have one hour, but we hit a road bump or two, so I'm going to simply ask you to... It's important for you to make your statements, and then we'll see where we are. If the committee really has a lot of questions, we have two possibilities. One is that the committee could concur to extend the meeting for the 15 minutes that we lost by preliminaries, or we could request that you come back at a future date to finish off your appearance, if that's all right. Okay.

If you have statements to make, please proceed.