Information & Ethics Committee on Feb. 26th, 2019

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

If there are differences of opinion between the party representatives with the recommendations of the committee, how would that be resolved?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

It is up to the panel to make that decision, not up to the political parties, but they will receive the information at the same time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

Thank you, Mr. Kent.

Mr. Angus, for seven minutes.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Thank you, Ms. Gould, for coming today.

Who at Facebook did you meet with?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

At Facebook I met with Kevin Chan. I would have to get you the names of the five other individuals, because I don't remember—

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

You met with Kevin Chan who is not registered as a lobbyist, who met with numerous people in the government's office, and who is a former member working for the Liberals. Was Kevin Chan your voice?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

I'm sorry, Mr. Angus, would you let me speak?

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I'm asking my question here, if it was Kevin Chan? We spent over a year studying this and we could not get a straight answer out of Facebook. If Kevin Chan was your source, I want that on the record.

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Mr. Angus, I said there were five other individuals who we met with, as well, who came from Washington and Silicon Valley.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Above or below Mr. Chan? Would you give us their names?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Happily, I just don't have them right now.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Thank you.

I guess I'm a little touchy. We did spend over a year studying this. We worked internationally and domestically. I see the report that you came out with. It's so “Cold War”. We have the G7 rapid response, we have the critical assessment room. Everything that we found is the very opposite of what you're coming forward with.

You ignored our key recommendations, one of which was the role of the Chief Electoral Officer, who will now be under Michael Wernick from the Privy Council. However, we had said all along that the Electoral Officer has an important role to play. In the middle of an election, things get very heated. If this critical G7 rapid response team that you bring in suddenly announces a threat, it could really destabilize an election. What we would need is real confidence.

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

It's important to clarify the roles—

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

We would need real confidence, right?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

—and not conflate different issues.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

So I am wondering why you have appointed Michael Wernick to that position and not the Chief Electoral Officer to make that decision for Canadians.

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

If you'll let me answer your question, I would be happy to.

As I literally just responded to Mr. Kent not a minute or two ago, I will repeat what the Chief Electoral Officer said—

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I heard that—

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

—which is—

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

—but I'm asking why Mr. Wernick is not the Electoral—

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

—he is an officer of Parliament, and not part of the Government of Canada. He is separate from that.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Okay.

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

When we are talking about something that is of a national security issue, it is the Government of Canada that will do that.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Okay.

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

During an election period, we have something called the caretaker convention—