Information & Ethics Committee on Feb. 16th, 2012

[Dany Morin, NDP, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

My colleague Pierre-Luc Dusseault wanted us to discuss that in committee, and Mr. Del Mastro hurried to get the journalists out, so that we could discuss the case in camera. Therefore, I cannot discuss any details, but I think that inviting RCMP representatives is a very good idea.

I have another quick question about the penalities imposed on guilty parties. Don't you think that asking the lobbyists at fault to write a letter of apology is a very mild punishment lacking teeth?

[Karen Shepherd]

All I can currently do is refer the case to the RCMP or submit a report to Parliament.

[Dany Morin, NDP, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Okay.

[Karen Shepherd]

That's why I recommend administrative penalities.

[Dany Morin, NDP, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Okay.

[Karen Shepherd]

That provides more flexibility.

[Dany Morin, NDP, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Thank you very much.

I will let my colleague Mr. Dusseault have my remaining minute.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mrs. Shepherd, thanks again for your comments.

Since another one of my motions is on the committee's agenda, I thought it would be a good time, after hearing from another witness, to present my second motion, which could not be discussed at the last meeting. I will now present my motion, if that's okay with you. It asks:

That, in light of witness testimony heard regarding offences under the Lobbying Act, the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics call representatives of the office of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada to testify with regard to the interpretation of the provisions of the act.

The last motion—

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

I have a point of order from Mrs. Davidson.

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

I'd just like to make a motion that we go in camera when he's read his motion.

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

Thank you, Mrs. Davidson. We'll recognize you as the next speaker.

Mr. Dusseault has the floor at the moment.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

That is actually somewhat related to the motion presented at the last committee meeting, given that the RCMP and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada have strong ties. Of course, I am calling for a recorded division.

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

Can I interrupt for one moment?

Commissioner, I want to thank you and your staff for appearing before the committee. You're welcome to stay as long as we're in public, but I would also be prepared to excuse you and your staff at this point in time.

Is it a point of order, Mr. Butt?

[Brad Butt, Conservative, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

I have a point of order.

With all due respect, we've asked the commissioner and her staff to be here for the hour today. We can deal with this motion at the end. Can we not continue?

Can you not respect the committee members, the rest of us, who would like to ask questions of the staff who are here today before we wrap this thing up?

[A voice]

Hear, hear!

[Brad Butt, Conservative, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

I have no problem dealing with Mr. Dusseault's motion at the end of the meeting, but to deal with it now, to go in camera and cut off debate is inappropriate, Madam Chair. I think you should let the rest of the committee members examine the witnesses today, and then we can deal with Mr. Dusseault's motion at the end of the meeting.

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

I appreciate your comments, Mr. Butt. I am unfortunately bound by procedure where a motion has now been introduced and I have to entertain the motion that's on the floor.

I do apologize to the commissioner for the abbreviated testimony. Is this a point of order as well, Mrs. Davidson?

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

No, I was going to—

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

Okay. I still have—

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

Yes.

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

Was there another point of order over here?

Can Mr. Dusseault continue? He has the floor.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

It's not complicated. All we have to do is vote. It will take only one or two minutes. We don't have to do it behind closed doors. We can then continue our discussion with Ms. Shepherd. Therefore, I call for a recorded division immediately. That simply reflects all the witnesses' comments. We should at least be able to vote on this.

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

On a point of information, we can't actually call the question or call for a vote. I have a speakers' list, which I will now recognize.

Mrs. Davidson, you have the floor.

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

No, I don't have anything else.

[The Chair, NDP, Jean Crowder]

You have to move your motion.