Evidence of meeting #42 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 sauvé.
A recording is available from Parliament.
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
Dick Harris Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Mr. Chair, I had my hand up earlier to be recognized, following Mr. Martin's statement.
I think it's important to point out here that while Mr. Martin's story might have touched some hearts in this committee—
8:55 a.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
Dick Harris Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
—his sincerity has been dramatically undermined by his party's and leader's past performance, where in fact they have signified publicly that they would vote against every single budget item that came down even before those budget items were known. So for Mr. Martin to complain that he doesn't have enough information is really hypocritical at best, given the history of his party and leader.
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Chair, I would call upon colleagues to try to refrain from personal attacks of that nature.
8:55 a.m.
An hon. member
Damascus road this morning--
8:55 a.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
Okay. Well, I'm all excited about Damascus road experiences for everyone.
Now, I wonder whether I can use this time while we wait for Mr. Prud'Homme to talk about the Jaffer matter. We have finished the report. Every party has had an opportunity to look it over. Do I have any authorization to present it to the House?
Do we want to go in camera?
8:55 a.m.
An hon. member
No.
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Mr. Chair, we've just run on a collision course in a different committee where there was a discussion about a draft report in public. We've just encountered that again.
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
We can vote to go in camera or we can suspend while we wait for Mr. Prud'Homme.
Mr. Coderre.
9 a.m.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Chair, I don't see the point of spending only an hour with Mr. Prud'Homme this morning, particularly since it is already 9:00 a.m. and the committee has to end its meeting at 10:45 a.m..
So I would ask that the videoconference with other colleagues be postponed to another meeting of the committee and we have Mr. Prud'Homme testify until 10:45 a.m..
9 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
I'm in the hands of the committee. It's a lot of work on the part of the clerk to arrange these meetings. I'd hate to let Mr. Hollander go, who's coming in from British Columbia; possibly the other witness is not as difficult to let go.
I just wonder whether there are other alternatives. Could we have Mr. Hollander still join us at the scheduled time while continuing to have Mr. Prud'Homme for the balance of the time? Would that work?
9 a.m.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Chair, my concern is that it's already nine o'clock. I understand all of the work by the clerk and that there might be some discomfort there, but at the end of the day, these are two different issues. I am flexible, but frankly, if we have both witnesses together, it wouldn't sound coherent.
9 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Chair, normally I would say it would make sense to have those witnesses along with Mr. Prud'Homme, and then members could ask questions of whomever they wanted. But I'm a little concerned that those witnesses—the two in the second hour—would get short shrift and perhaps wouldn't get much in the way of questions, and we would end up inviting them back and wasting their time today. That's the concern if we continue with them today.
9 a.m.
Liberal
9 a.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
9:10 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
Colleagues, we can resume now.
Mr. Prud'Homme has arrived.
Welcome to the committee, Mr. Prud'Homme.
Thank you for coming. I appreciate your making the effort to get through the snowstorm. In light of the lateness, we have extended the period of time we have with you. As you know, as I'm sure our clerk has briefed you, you have an opportunity to make an opening statement and, thereafter, members will ask you questions.
Mr. Prud'Homme, do you have an opening statement?
9:10 a.m.
An hon. member
A point of order.