Thank you, Mr. Chair.
With regard to the competing privileges that exist, for example, Mr. Green mentioned the privilege that parliamentarians hold versus the privilege that cabinet confidentiality holds. For another example, Ms. Block also talks about the sensitivity of commercial information that may not be permissible for a committee to ask, but what constitutes that?
These are questions that—I'm being very honest—to some degree are in a legal context and outstrip my specific expertise. What I would say to the committee is that the committee can always ask for the documentation; the committee may not receive it.
In the event that the committee, having sent for documents, does not receive the documents, the only thing the committee can do at that point is report to the House and allow the House to pursue this. Some members may remember in 2009-2010, this was what happened with the Afghan detainee issue that led to a seminal ruling by Speaker Milliken.
My best arguments to the committee would be, if you're not sure in this case of knowing whether one privilege applies or not, to put it forward and see what documents are presented back to you. At that point the committee can then decide, if it doesn't receive the documents it wants, how it wishes to proceed further.
Aside from that, if you want a more definitive answer, I would have to check the law clerk's office. At that point, I would have to say that I can't give you an answer right at this moment before you decide.
I hope that's clear. I'm not entirely sure it is, but that's what I can offer you at this time.
Thank you.