Evidence of meeting #10 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was know.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Now we're going to move back over to Mr. Valeriote.
Welcome, sir, to the committee.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Latulippe, for appearing before us today. I appreciate it.
You mentioned earlier that the board did not speak to you about your ideology, and I'd suggest to you that sometimes the direction from which a person is coming indicates the direction in which they're going and maybe there was no need for them to ask you about your ideology.
But having said that, you did talk about moving forward. Certainly, when one is moving forward, you sometimes have to disavow certain actions that pre-existed your entry to the organization.
One of those actions was a gag order that was issued by Aurel Braun, the chairman of Rights and Democracy. I'd ask you if you're aware of that gag order. It is a matter of public record. It was discussed in a Canadian Press article of March 30.
Do you condone that action, an issuing of a gag order by a board member to staff?
President, Rights & Democracy
I am telling you that I'm taking Rights and Democracy, and I will not remake the past history of Rights and Democracy. What I can tell you is that, for example, some inquiries are in process. I am looking forward to those inquiries.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
Yes. Okay. I'm speaking to you about the gag order. Have you repealed that gag order seeking to silence the staff of the organization? Have you repealed that gag order?
Liberal
President, Rights & Democracy
Look, let me tell you something. I think the staff has done something wrong in asking.... That's the first time in my life that I've seen staff asking for the resignation of a board. I think this was wrong by the staff.
President, Rights & Democracy
Look, I'm telling you that....
What do you mean by the gag order?
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
The gag order: telling them not to speak out about the organization. There was a gag order. A copy of it was given to Minister Cannon. Did you repeal it? You're talking about moving forward. I want to know if you've liberated the staff.
Do you believe in free speech?
President, Rights & Democracy
Absolutely. Do you know that the staff is meeting with me twice a week? Do you know that I'm meeting with the staff all the time?
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
--tell them they don't need to worry about the gag order, that it's repealed?
President, Rights & Democracy
I told them that they can talk to me about everything.
President, Rights & Democracy
They can talk to whoever they want. The staff actually is able to talk and to have their opinions.
And let me tell you--
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
--does that statement officially constitute you repealing that gag order?
President, Rights & Democracy
Don't put your words in my mouth. What I'm telling you is that I'm in a constant relationship with the staff.
