Evidence of meeting #6 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was value.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
I believe that's part of what we have, if not all of what we have. We were given a number of documents here, and some are being translated.
Mr. Holland.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Mark Holland Liberal Ajax—Pickering, ON
Madam Chair, while you search for what we may or may not have been given, I think what is staggering about this is that this far after the deal, when we're resuming having hearings on this matter, after the committee has done everything but beg for information, we would get it the day of the meeting, when we would like to be able to pose questions to the witnesses. We don't even know whether we do in fact have it, and some of it's still being translated.
This is incredibly unproductive and it's being done way after the fact. It's very problematic. Frankly, it just seems to be more roadblocking on behalf of the government.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Madam Chair, thank you for instructing us that we have it. I was just going to concur with you that in fact we had it. I think it was not so long ago that Mr. Holland actually requested this information. It has been forthcoming in our effort to be totally transparent on this issue. Obviously there were issues as to why it couldn't be disclosed until the deal was completed, but it's fully there.
So we are fully supportive of Mr. Angus' efforts to get the information. In fact, if he opens his portfolio there, he'll find it.
4:35 p.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Madam Chair, I gave the documents to my assistant who examined them carefully. He tells me that he could not find what Mr. Angus is asking for. So I think that we should put Mr. Angus' motion to a vote. I call for the question.
4:35 p.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
True, it is garbage.
I call for the question, Madam Chair.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
Madam Chair, how can we vote intelligently on something that's just verbal? We don't have it before us. There are so many unanswered questions.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
If they're saying this isn't it, then what are they looking for?
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
First of all, we don't have absolutely everything. We don't have the documents from Larco.
Who's next here? Mr. Angus.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
I appreciate Mr. Warkentin offering that it is here. This has just been presented to us. I've asked for the specific elements. We will not know until we've left, and then we'd lose more time.
If it's all there, then there's no problem voting for the motion and we'll be all happy, but if elements of that are not in there, then that will give our committee the chance to take it back so that we're not wasting any more time, because we're getting close to the Christmas break. So I would like to vote on it.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Daryl Kramp Conservative Prince Edward—Hastings, ON
I have no problem with providing information. If we have whatever is there....
I haven't seen what is there. My understanding is that it has been registered with the clerk, but for whatever particular reason it hasn't been effectively translated to us here today. I have no idea why.
My concern is that if we have a situation where legal action has been taking place—an injunction right now—if any of this information would prejudice the action that is going on right now, we should not be discussing it unless we discuss it in camera. I don't know, because I have not read this information myself. But I think we'd better be very, very careful. If we just automatically table information that could end up in a court case and we start discussing something here or make those documents public, then I think we would do a disservice to the Government of Canada, regardless of who is at the helm.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
I'm happy to proceed to the question. I understand that what is being asked for is in fact there, the specific information. So I'm happy to vote in favour. I call the question.
4:35 p.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Madam Chair, the documents in our possession were already provided by Mr. McGrath. They were asked for on April 2, 2004. There are three studies that show clearly that Public Works Canada was not able to give clear information to BMO and RBC. Now BMO and RBC used that information as the basis of their report to the minister. We have had those studies for some time now, and they are not what Mr. Angus is asking for.
I have asked for a vote on Mr. Angus' motion, and I would like us to get moving, Madam Chair.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
What exactly is being asked for? I'm hearing that there's a confidential memorandum.
I just need clarification, Mr. Angus, because from what I understand, what you're asking for is included in here. If you don't know what you're asking for, that's fine, because I'm not sure what I'd be asking for specifically if I had a whole pile of stuff in front of me.
4:40 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
know what I'd ask for; I don't know what I'd receive. That's why I'd like to vote on it.