Evidence of meeting #1 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
1:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
I'll tell you what. The analysts and the clerk don't have the same luxury that we have—actually, I don't, either—of walking away. Maybe I will suspend for three minutes, if for no other reason, for nature.
We'll suspend for three minutes.
2 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
We're un-suspended now.
I'm going back to my list. Madame Lattanzio is next.
2 p.m.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
In light of the discussions, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the terms that had been agreed to back in July seem to have been in dire contradiction with the amendment my colleague put on the table for us to decide. I'm going to reiterate that it's important that we have a good idea of what has transpired in the past so that we can make decisions that are clear and lucid. It is in no way to stifle the work of this committee; it's to get to work and do the due diligence in our work.
That was the point of my intervention before, and I'm reiterating for the same arguments and not an adjournment of the motion, because I understood that we voted on it. Because of the new information that was read by my colleague Mrs. Shanahan, I think you can appreciate that we, as new members of this committee, are entitled to have all the necessary information so that we can take our responsibilities and make decisions that are clear.
I'm going to propose once again that we adjourn debate on this motion. I understand that what my colleague is also.... In reading very quickly the motion, I see there are a lot of similarities between his motion and my colleague Gaudreau's motion with regard to setting up a new committee. Let us take the time to look at this closely and carefully, so that we can take the proper decision. It is in no way to stifle or impede a colleague from putting forward a motion and not deciding on it. It's to give us an opportunity to examine it properly.
I want to make one more comment in terms of taking our oath of office to not disclose the information that we receive. It is my understanding that staff members do not have that same obligation to take an oath of office. For all those reasons, I'm not prepared to vote on this, or at least not to vote yes on it.
2:05 p.m.
Liberal
Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC
Thank you, Chair.
I, too, am disturbed that we're taking up the time of the ethics committee when we know there are discussions going on about dealing with this very issue—
2:05 p.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Mrs. Shanahan, I think you're using the computer microphone and not your earset microphone. I notice no difference whether or not you bring it closer.
2:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Are you getting any feedback from translation that Madame Shanahan can be heard now?
2:05 p.m.
The Clerk
Let me just check with them.
2:05 p.m.
Liberal
Francesco Sorbara Liberal Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON
On a point of order, Chair, as it is 2:07, I believe we are now into statements by members, and then question period will begin. I believe it is our privilege as members of Parliament to be allowed to attend question period. That supersedes the duty we have on committee at this moment in time.
Am I not correct in that, sir?
2:05 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
That's not a point of order.
2:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
The only reason it's not a point of order is that it's procedurally wrong. The fact is that we're masters of our own destiny, so there's no obligation for us. There is around bells, but there are no bells for QP. No vote is being called, so we can continue.
Madame Shanahan, do you want to try again? We'll check with translation to see if they're able to hear you clearly.
2:05 p.m.
Liberal
Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC
In fact, Mr. Chair, this is part of my intervention, that for whatever reason, in terms of the resources, we've had some connectivity issues just recently, and now I have a microphone issue. That's interfering with my ability to participate in this committee.
I understand that the work here is important, and I certainly value it. It is for that reason, knowing that there are other conversations going on at this time to deal with this very issue.... In fact, I heard a member earlier in this meeting referring to just that, that the previous work of this committee would not be lost but would simply be turned over to any new entity that was taking up this work. The fact that we agreed to adjourn debate on the motion of Madame Gaudreau, because it was also around the issue of studying these matters on a continued basis...but would it be under a special committee? Is this committee in order to ask for such a committee?
These are all important questions. I'd like to remind members that this is the first meeting. It's certainly not the last. We have an opportunity here to put our motions on the table. That was the suggestion the chair had earlier on. I certainly agree with that. I think that is really the crux of the kind of work we want to continue discussing here.
I understand the concerns of my colleague Mr. Angus. I've heard my other colleagues' concerns around the privacy issues. I think we need to address that in more detail. I think we need to give it due regard. While committees are masters of their own destiny, we still have to act in good faith on behalf of Canadians. I am concerned about that information inadvertently being leaked out; I say that knowing how we are all dealing with technical issues. I think it bears further study. I think it would be more properly done between our various House leaders in the work they're doing in really trying to see how we can make the most of this time that we have before us.
Just as a side note on the technological resources—I'm very mindful of the interpreters, and I'm sorry if I'm not being helpful here—I have ordered additional earphones. I think they're trying to deliver them to me, but I'm not able to take delivery. Physically, this is going to become unmanageable at some point, so I beg the chair's indulgence in allowing us to adjourn debate.
I would request that we adjourn debate on this issue so that we can perhaps move on to placing on notice our other motions.
Thank you, Chair.
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Just to be clear, Madame Shanahan, did you move a motion to adjourn debate on this issue?
2:10 p.m.
Liberal
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
2:10 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Yes, it's just a point of order because it is question period, and I have to be in question period; however, I don't want to go along with Mrs. Shanahan, who has shown to me very bad faith here. She raised her concerns, and now she wants to stall, but we do have to go to question period. We need a vote on being able to go to question period, but I certainly don't agree with the reasons Madame Shanahan has put forward. I think she is stalling deliberately.
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Let's be clear, colleagues. Are we adjourning debate, or do you want to adjourn the meeting? Can you give me some clarity around that, and then we can move to a vote?
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Adjourning debate doesn't adjourn the meeting.
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
I'll handle the first motion.
Madame Shanahan, did you say you wanted to adjourn the meeting and not the motion?
2:10 p.m.
Liberal
Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC
I agree with what my colleague Mr. Angus said. I would move to adjourn the meeting.
2:10 p.m.
Conservative