Information & Ethics Committee on May 25th, 2010

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Let him speak.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

The whole other issue here that certainly we'd like to get to is this issues management team that operates within the government somewhere. It's been mentioned in many media articles. It's been mentioned by witnesses appearing before this committee.

Is the whole purpose of that issues management team to slow down, delay, or stop access to information requests altogether, or just transfer access to information requests to the centre—

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Raise your voice.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

—so they can be massaged and answered in another way?

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

You want attention.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

I just lay that out, Mr. Chair, in support of this motion because that's the real issue on the table. The minister has already admitted before this committee that he has no direct responsibility for Dimitri Soudas, the director of communications for the Prime Minister, so how could he know what's going on in the day-to-day business?

So I don't think we have any choice as a committee but to support this motion and look at the real issue, which is why Mr. Soudas is not here. Is this just manipulation, more cover by the government to try to avoid dealing with a very serious issue that goes right to the heart of the Prime Minister's Office?

I support the motion, Mr. Chair.

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

He didn't even raise his voice or start to tremor.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

All right, there being no more, I'm putting the question that the committee cease the current proceedings with the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and deal with the matter of non-appearance of Mr. Soudas. It was moved by Madam Freeman.

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

Chair, we have a point of order over here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

And I just put a motion for a vote.

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

Point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

There was.... Excuse me.

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

Point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Excuse me, I'm in the middle of a vote.

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

Point of order, there's no vote.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

There's no vote? There sure is. I just put the question.

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

Point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Not in the middle of a vote.

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

You've not called for additional debate.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

I don't....

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

You don't end the debate; you wait until it's expired.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

There were no more members on the list. You get the attention of the clerk.

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

There were people trying to get your attention over here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

I've heard enough debate.

Call the question, please.

Once again we have a tie vote. The chair votes yes.

(Motion agreed to: yeas 6; nays 5)

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Minister, I thought we had a chance, but politics seems to have taken over. So thank you for appearing, and you're excused.

We are going to—