Evidence of meeting #43 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was secretariat.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
Just let me finish.
It was a very partisan question, but that's the member's right. I don't question that. My only concern is that when questions of that type happen on this side, there is interruption and condemnation from the chair. I'm wondering, is there a consistent rule on whether partisan questions can be allowed to be asked? Because I'm perfectly willing to--
5 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
If there were a rule on partisan questions, I think you wouldn't get to ask them very often.
5 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
But I will tell you there is a rule when it comes to public servants. You may ask him the question--
5 p.m.
Conservative
5 p.m.
Liberal
5 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
We can ask the questions we want from now on. Thanks.
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Liberal
5 p.m.
NDP
5 p.m.
A voice
Is he going to answer?
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Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
It's up to him how he answers that. He doesn't have to, if he thinks it's too partisan.
It's totally up to you, sir.
5 p.m.
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
Madame Chair, there are elements of that that I do believe fall into that category. However, the honourable member has asked a question about travel, and I would like, if you allow me, to provide you and the committee with the facts.
The honourable member mentioned Tuktoyaktuk. When I was asked to move from being senior research fellow on oceans at the National Research Council, I had an accountability agreement with the Clerk of the Privy Council, which involved representing Canada and Canada's interests in a number of venues. When I moved to take on the role of executive director of the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, the associate clerk of the Privy Council agreed that it would be appropriate for me to respect a number of these existing commitments.
5 p.m.
NDP
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
Excuse me. Sorry, Mr. Harrison. Are you about to tell us that travel came out of a different budget?
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former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
That's correct.
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NDP
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
Okay. All right. Thank you for that. I don't want to spend my time on that, if you will allow me.
I want to make the point that one of the honourable members opposite on the committee has said recently with respect to public appointments that we're going to appoint people who agree with the government's agenda. The National Parole Board has consistently made decisions to let hardened criminals back on the street before it's safe to do so, and we're frankly going to be appointing people to positions like that, who agree with the agenda of tackling crime. Is this view incorporated into the code the government is developing to guide ministries on their appointments?
5 p.m.
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
Madame Chair, I do believe that in my opening comments I outlined the objectives of the commission, the mandate of the commission as laid out in legislation. The question the honourable member is asking is a question that should be put to the government.
Madame Chair, could I seek your leave to finish my previous answer?
5 p.m.
NDP
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
I would prefer that not come out of my five minutes, though. If I could just....
5 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
We won't take it from your five minutes, but I would like to give the gentleman a chance to justify his travel, if that's what he wishes.