Information & Ethics Committee on June 10th, 2010

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

We are on the motion, but it is related to the subject matter.

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

We are on what motion?

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

The motion just made by Madame Freeman, which we've been discussing for a little while here.

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

I'm sorry, but I don't know what that motion is. I thought we were discussing this.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Yes, we are, but during her intervention she made a motion that we hear another witness, Mr. Walsh, with regard to the implications. She feels we need to know a little bit more about the consequences of failure to appear, which may affect our report.

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

Then, Mr. Chair, if we are debating a motion, I need to see that motion, or at least to hear it clearly.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Okay, order.

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

I just said it. We do not need to....

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Madame, it's okay. We've already been through the thing about oral motions.

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

That's why I said “or hear it clearly” from the mover, please.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

No, no, I will tell you what it is.

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

Are those your words or her words, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

I'll tell you the motion that the clerk wrote down here.

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

That would be wonderful, thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

The motion is that the committee call Mr. Walsh, the law clerk, to explain to the committee the consequences of failure to appear or honour a summons.

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

The consequences of what?

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Failure to appear before a committee or—

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

Gee whiz, maybe the clerk hasn't got it written down.

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

Well—

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

Amazing. Could you please read your motion to me, Ms. Freeman?

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

The motion is exactly what the chair just said.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Liberal, Paul Szabo]

All right. I think she wants to hear Mr. Walsh as another witness next Tuesday.

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

We want Mr. Walsh to appear before the committee to explain the consequences of witnesses failing to appear when they have been duly summoned by the committee. So we want the expert law clerk to come and explain all the consequences to us and enlighten the committee.

[An. hon. member]

Sure, we do.