Evidence of meeting #22 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 40th Parliament, 3rd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was contract.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Has anything been told to Mr. Hamilton that inappropriate lobbying was being done? Was it what caused--
Conservative
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
It would be an item for this committee to study, yes, absolutely.
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
Madam Chair, I thought Ms. Mendes and I were actually in accord here, but now I'm somewhat confused. By her own comments, she wants to determine why Ms. Guergis was thrown out of committee, to use her words. I didn't think that was the intention--
Liberal
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
It was out of caucus; sorry. I apologize.
I didn't think that was the purpose. We're talking about the green fund.
I want to come back to you on specific intent, if I may, Madam Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Yes.
Let's see if we have some clarity around it. I think you asked the question, Mr. Warkentin, about its pertaining to the green fund. We were studying the green fund and discussing the information that Mr. Hamilton is bringing to the green fund. That's the linkage that—
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
What information is that, as it relates to the green fund?
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
What we want to find out is whether Mr. Hamilton had any information, either from Mr. Snowdy or from any other source, that gave him or raised a red alert about inappropriate lobbying, because Ms. Guergis is married to Mr. Jaffer, the person who we think was doing inappropriate lobbying. That's what we'd like to find out. I think that's one of the reasons we'd be interested in interviewing Mr. Hamilton.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
We're having a vote, then, as to whether a person should be coming to this committee to discuss whether they have privileged access in terms of their capacity to lobby.
Conservative
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
Thank you.
I think this is germane to what we're talking about. I'd very much like to hear Mr. Hamilton. He's indicated that he's available on June 9. I come back to the point that I don't know if others, such as Mr. Jaffer, would be available on June 9, but we're talking about two days from now. I don't want this committee not to have its regularly scheduled meeting to do its job.
My prior challenge—if that's the right word—to Alexandra was perhaps the choice of words, so let's do a different workaround. I would like to ask, though, because I think Pat's right about this point, about the scheduling of our other guests, Mr. Jaffer and Ms. Guergis. I'm trying to get a perspective. Can you help me understand where your thinking is on this, please?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Sure. I'm not thinking; I'm just saying Mr. Jaffer has been invited for June 9, and he hasn't said no.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
I was making a suggestion that the timing could be one hour for Mr. Hamilton and one hour for Mr. Jaffer—