Government Operations Committee on June 2nd, 2010

[A voice]

There's a tie.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

There is a tie vote. Okay, let's do it: I'll vote in favour.

Let's just get it done with quickly.

Mr. Holder, do you have a point of order?

[Ed Holder, Conservative, London West, ON]

You know, I find that a rather bizarre request from the member opposite. Here we have a member who was actually volunteering to make a statement, and in fact prior to our vote was quite insistent that he make a statement. I think the member opposite, by doing so....

It feels to me that this is just a subtle or not-so-subtle form of intimidation. I find it very bizarre, when you have someone who absolutely voluntarily looks to do that, Madam Chair—

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

That's not a point of order, that's debate.

Let's get the oaths done with.

[Ed Holder, Conservative, London West, ON]

It's an issue of justice, Madam Chair, and doing the right thing.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Let's get the oaths done, and then we can start.

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

I, John Baird, do swear that the evidence I shall give on this examination shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help me God.

I've been sworn in, sworn at, sworn out more than once.

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

I, Gary Goodyear, do solemnly swear, sincerely and truly affirm and declare the taking of....

Is that the one?

My apologies.

I'm still Gary Goodyear, and I still swear that the evidence I shall give on this examination shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help me God.

Let's hope that we're allowed to give the whole truth.

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Minister of Natural Resources]

I, Christian Paradis, do solemnly swear that the testimony I am about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

We can extend time, if you want.

[Ed Holder, Conservative, London West, ON]

Why don't we divide by four, in the spirit of fairness.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Can we do the first round of five to six minutes?

[An hon. member]

Five minutes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Is it the agreement of the—

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

I would....[Inaudible--Editor]

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

I'm sorry, I have to get the agreement.

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Then let me make a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Yes.

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

If we're concerned about running out of time because of votes, because of all these points of order, points of privilege, points of whatever, I would suggest that we go beyond our 5:30 p.m. time, perhaps to 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.—whatever is required.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Can we go to a quarter to six?

I'll have to give eight minutes, because that's the rule of the committee anyway.

[Ed Holder, Conservative, London West, ON]

Madam Chair, I was asking for something like five minutes simply because we all have various commitments that we try to do.

I will not agree to an extension.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Fair enough.

Mr. Goodyear, you have two minutes, then Mr. Paradis has two minutes, and then we will start the rounds.

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

On May 25 the government House leader, the Honourable Jay Hill, spoke in the House of Commons about the principle of individual ministerial accountability, why ministers must be accountable to Canadians through Parliament for the actions of their departments and their staff.

This is one of the cornerstones of responsible government in Canada. Ministers are given authority by the crown to make decisions on the policies, programs, and services of government. Their staff and public servants support the minister as they exercise this authority.

These employees provide advice to and carry out the direction of their ministers. They are accountable to the ministers for the exercise of their duties. However, office staff and public servants have no constitutional responsibility to Parliament. Our Canadian democracies hold ministers responsible for everything that is done under their authority. Ministers must answer to Parliament for their decisions and actions, but also for the actions of their department and staff.

Voters elected me as a member of Parliament. They did not elect my staff. Therefore, it is I who must be accountable to voters through Parliament for all actions taken under my authority. It is for this reason that I am here before you today to answer your questions on a meeting that took place between my staff and Mr. Patrick Glémaud last year.

Last November, Ms. Anjali Varma, managing partner of Sustainable Ventures Inc., contacted my office to schedule a meeting in order to learn more about the new southern Ontario development program, a program administered by the new Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

Later that month, the meeting was held between Ms. Varma, Mr. Patrick Glémaud of Green Power Generation, and two members of my staff. During the meeting, Mr. Glémaud asked about funding eligibility for the new southern Ontario development program.

As well, during the meeting Ms. Varma described the current and prospective businesses—

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Mr. Goodyear, you'll have to wrap up.

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

I'm trying to wrap up, Madam Chair. We're hoping for the whole truth here. That's what I swore to.