Government Operations Committee on June 9th, 2010

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

To read out the law society's—

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

—for the benefit of the committee, let the committee know what the rules are that apply and govern all members of the Law Society of Upper Canada, of which Mr. Hamilton is one.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Thank you--

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

If you were to rule that he breaches those rules, you put him in contention with the law society and he could be disbarred for that. So take that carefully--

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Mr. Dechert, I have not ruled that he's in contempt. I have not ruled anything. I'm just asking committee members to be mindful of how they question the witness. That's all.

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC]

Point of order, Madam Chair.

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

Fair enough, but my point, Madam Chair—

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Mr. Dechert, I am now going to suggest to you that you may be a lawyer, but in terms of parliamentary procedures, Parliament is supreme. I do not want to get into this contention between Parliament, the law society--

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

Madam Chair, I'm simply trying to inform the committee of this rule.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

The committee's very informed.

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

It is not informed. You haven't let me read the rule on professional conduct.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Okay. Thank you.

We've heard from you.

Mr. Guimond, begin your....

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC]

Point of order.

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

A point of order, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Yes, Mr. Guimond.

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC]

Madam Chair, I would like you to tell....

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

A point of order, Madam Chair.

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC]

all the members here today, as well as the witnesses that this....

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

Point of order, Madam Chair.

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC]

Is he going to let me speak?

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

It's your turn, Mr. Guimond.

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

You're refusing to hear a rule of law that applies.

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC]

The witnesses and all the members should be reminded that....

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

You're refusing to be advised, Chair.

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC]

—that Mr. Hamilton has witness protection under parliamentary privilege. In the sponsorship scandal, we heard from witnesses who were subject to criminal proceedings. There was a long list of proceedings. Nevertheless, they received the committee's protection. So my Conservative colleague's argument does not hold water. The witness is fully protected in terms of his professional corporation. Therefore he can answer all the questions we put to him in a free and informed manner.