Evidence of meeting #6 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 video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Okay. We're going to suspend for a few minutes so that the motion can be distributed to members of the committee.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Colleagues, we're back in order.
Before we get into debate on the existing motion right now, I wanted to make sure that everybody has a copy.
Liberal
Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC
Very good, and Chair, could you clarify the speaking order?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
What I had previously on the debate for the motion before was you, Madam Shanahan, and then Mr. Fergus, Mr. Sorbara and Madame Gaudreau.
Do all those folks want to remain on the list for the debate on this motion?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Okay, that's why I asked. Fantastic.
Then it will be Mr. Fergus, Mr. Sorbara, Madame Gaudreau and Mr. Barrett.
Madam Lattanzio, did you just put up your hand?
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Mr. Chair, before we begin, I think you should mark down for the minutes that Ms. Shanahan yielded to me. This is historic, and we should—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
It's even better. It's on video, so you can play it over and over again.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
I will, to my heart's content. She is one tough customer.
Aside from that, Mr. Chair, I think Mr. Angus laid out some really important points on the committee and the work we've been asked to do. I know that over a good bit of time we've disagreed and we haven't been able to move forward on the committee's agenda as much as possible. I think we have an opportunity here to move forward on particular issues. I think we have an opportunity here, with Mr. Angus's motion, to look at some key aspects that I know are of concern to this committee and to Canadians. There are some elements that I think have also been covered off.
If you'll forgive me, Mr. Chair, I'm working with one screen. I have to change screens to see the motion.
With regard to the introduction to the motion, I think Mr. Angus raises a fair point.
On part (a), I think this issue has largely been dealt with by our Ethics Commissioner. He ruled a couple of weeks ago that indeed Mr. Silver and the ethical screen that was set up by the chief of staff to the Prime Minister was correct. He didn't see that there was an issue there to be investigated. Again, our role in terms of the ethics committee is help support the Ethics Commissioner. If the Ethics Commissioner is telling us that there isn't an issue there, I would suggest that's one element that I would like to see removed. At the very least, that's not the issue we should be studying at this time.
Regarding elements (b) and (c), I think they are fair game. The Ethics Commissioner has not investigated them. If we wanted to turn our attention to those elements, I certainly wouldn't stand in the way of that happening.
As for the final element, (d), regarding the appointment of federal judges, I would respectfully suggest that this element should be pushed to the justice committee. It would fall more squarely within their bailiwick than it would fall into ours.
To that end, Mr. Chair, I'd like to propose an amendment to Mr. Angus's motion—namely, that we remove articles (a) and (d) from this motion. That would allow us to quickly move on and get to work on the other elements that are included in Mr. Angus's motion. I think we can show Canadians, and show ourselves, that we can come to a reasonable agreement, move on and get to work.
With that, Mr. Chair, I'd like to make that amendment to Mr. Angus's motion.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Do you have it already typed out, Mr. Fergus, to send over to the clerk?
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Is that necessary, Mr. Chair? I'm just looking to remove two parts, (a) and (d).
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
It's simple enough. The very competent clerk has said that's fine. We can deal with that, since it's just the removal of (a) and (d). No worries.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
I will review the speakers list right now.
Madam Shanahan, did you put your hand up once more?
Liberal
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Yes.
Because we have people in the room, we're doing this high-tech and low-tech. On our list right now are the following: Mr. Sorbara, Madame Gaudreau, Mr. Barrett, Madam Lattanzio, Mrs. Shanahan and Mr. Angus.
We are now debating the amendment.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Chair, is there any willingness to vote on the amendment?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Do I see some consensus to vote on the amendment?
Yes, there is consensus.
Bloc
Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Mr. Chair, I'd like to have the amendment in writing.
