Information & Ethics Committee on Feb. 25th, 2014

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

I don't know what they're going to say, and I'm not going to anticipate. I can only speak—

[Scott Andrews, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

But do you think it's a good thing for them to appear before the committee on this bill?

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Andrews, they will appear, and you will have ample time, I'm assuming, to ask them questions.

[Scott Andrews, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

But is that a good idea for them to come before this committee to discuss your bill?

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Listen, I'm here at committee. I'm here in the spirit of fulsome discussion of Bill C-520. That's why I'm here.

[Scott Andrews, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

Do you think they should appear before the committee to discuss their past involvement and their lives prior to being elected to Parliament, how they actually got their jobs? These individuals are there now. How did they go through the process of being—

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Quite frankly, I don't know what you're talking about, because it's not within Bill C-520. I don't—

[Scott Andrews, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

Their names are in Bill C-520. I'm just wondering if it's a good idea for them to come here to discuss your bill.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

I don't know. You'll have to ask them that question when they appear.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Mr. Andrews, I'm afraid your seven minutes are up. Thank you.

The Conservatives are going to split their time, with Mr. Calandra first and then Mr. Zimmer.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Thank you.

Mr. Andrews has brought this up with respect to your past. I guess he doesn't look at elections.ca to see when people donate to political parties. He's probably never heard of the website, I guess.

You of course aren't the only person who has been a Liberal in his past. There are many people who have been Liberals in their past. I, too, was once a Liberal, when I was about 14 or 15, and then I grew up and got educated and became a Conservative.

Since Mr. Andrews is so concerned about your past, I'm wondering if you could help explain what it was that so turned you off the Liberals. Was it the fact that they always broke election promises? Was it the fact that they promised to get rid of the GST and lied about that? Was it the fact that they promised to enact Kyoto, but then admitted that they actually never had any intention of doing it because it was just really a—

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

We have a point of order from Mr. Ravignat.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Chair, with all due respect to my honourable colleague and his questions, I'm here, as I think most of us are, to hear about Bill C-520. I think this line of questioning is irrelevant and not particularly on subject, so I'd like you to rule on that, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

The point of order is one on relevance. I'm inclined to agree that you do have a point.

Mr. Calandra, could you limit your questioning to something at least related to Bill C-520.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Can I actually finish the question then, Mr. Chair? Is that okay with you?

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

As long as you can bring it around to Bill C-520.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Of all of those things, since it was actually brought up by Mr. Andrews in his questioning and apparently now they're not interested in hearing the answer to the question that they brought up, I'm wondering if you could also then share with the committee, because it seems to be a point of contention, what it was that turned you off the Liberals and made you want to come forward and serve as a Conservative member of Parliament?

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Thank you very much—

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Mr. Calandra, if I'm going to be consistent on relevance, really I don't know if that has any bearing on Bill C-520.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Mr. Chair, sorry, it was brought up actually by Mr. Andrews. I didn't—

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Yes, but nobody called a point of order on relevance on Mr. Andrews. He can use his seven minutes as he sees fit.

You've been called into line by a legitimate point of order. I don't see the relevance.

Therefore, if you have any other questions—

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

I challenge your ruling, Chair. I'd like to hear the question answered.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

The chair has been challenged.

[Ruling of the chair overturned]

The ruling of the chair has been overturned.

[A voice]

It's time for the kangaroo court.