Evidence of meeting #23 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 snowdy.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Bob Dechert Conservative Mississauga—Erindale, ON
Good afternoon, Mr. Hamilton, sir.
I'll start with finishing the discussion on the rules of professional conduct, which, for some bizarre reason, the chair didn't want the members to hear earlier, probably for partisan reasons.
I stated the general rule. There's further commentary on that point, which states that this rule “must be distinguished from the evidentiary rule” of lawyer and client privilege, which I believe is what the law clerk was referring to, concerning oral or documentary communications “passing between the client and the lawyer”. The ethical rule is “wider and applies without regard to the nature or source of the information or to the fact that others may share the knowledge”. As well, “The lawyer owes a duty of confidentiality to every client without exception, regardless of whether it is a continuing or casual client”. The duty “survives the professional relationship and continues indefinitely after the lawyer has ceased to act for the client, whether or not differences have arisen between them”.
I just think the committee should understand that.
You mentioned earlier that you were familiar with Mr. Snowdy's testimony with respect to the letter sent by the Prime Minister's Office to the Ethics Commissioner, Ms. Dawson.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Bob Dechert Conservative Mississauga—Erindale, ON
Are you also familiar with Ms. Dawson's testimony to the access to information, privacy, and ethics committee on April 22?
4:55 p.m.
Partner, Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP
Yes. That's the testimony I mentioned earlier.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Bob Dechert Conservative Mississauga—Erindale, ON
Are you familiar with Ms. Dawson's testimony with respect to the letter sent from the Prime Minister's Office to her?
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Bob Dechert Conservative Mississauga—Erindale, ON
Whose testimony is more accurate, in your opinion--Mr. Snowdy's or Ms. Dawson's?
4:55 p.m.
Partner, Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP
It's definitely Ms. Dawson's, because she had the benefit of seeing the letter. Mr. Snowdy was going off a rendition that had been provided to him by another.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Bob Dechert Conservative Mississauga—Erindale, ON
Thank you.
Earlier, Mr. Hamilton, you mentioned that you'd had a conversation with Mr. Jaime Watt of Navigator, the public relations firm.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Bob Dechert Conservative Mississauga—Erindale, ON
Did he discuss the same allegations to you that you had discussed with Ms. Guergis, arising out of your conversations with Mr. Snowdy?
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Bob Dechert Conservative Mississauga—Erindale, ON
Okay.
In light of that, do you believe Ms. Guergis was being completely honest about the allegation and her understanding of why she is no longer in the cabinet or the Conservative caucus?
4:55 p.m.
Partner, Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP
I think it calls into question her statements. But again, I don't want to get into who's lying, or making a subjective decision--
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Bob Dechert Conservative Mississauga—Erindale, ON
Certainly.
If I just follow it, to be clear, Mr. Snowdy made certain allegations. You reported those to Ms. Guergis. A few hours after you spoke to her, Mr. Watt called you on her behalf and essentially repeated those allegations.
4:55 p.m.
Partner, Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP
Yes. In the context of our call, we reviewed those allegations, yes.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
June 9th, 2010 / 4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Thank you very much.
I just want to again go back to your conversations with Ms. Guergis on April 9. You had a very short conversation initially. Did she initiate that call? She called you, is that right?
4:55 p.m.
Partner, Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP
Yes. That was the “Arthur, what's going on?” call.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Okay.
Then you said you needed to check something, you tried her again, got her voicemail, and then there was an actual e-mail exchange.
4:55 p.m.
Partner, Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP
I don't remember if it was an exchange or whether I simply sent her an e-mail that said: Please call me; I just tried to call you.
5 p.m.
Conservative
