(3) The data on the open government website is said to be subject to errors, which casts further doubt on the amounts that GC Strategies, in particular, might have received in government contracts since 2015. (4) An RCMP investigation is currently taking place, notably implicating the owners of GC Strategies. REFUSAL TO APPEAR
(A) According to BOSC, Marc and GAGNON, André, The Procedure and practices of the House of Commons, Third edition, 2017, p. 137, “If a witness declines an invitation, the committee may issue him a subpoena by adopting a motion to this effect. If the witness still refuses to appear, the committee may refer the matter to the House, which may then order the witness to appear. If the witness disobeys the order, he or she could be found in contempt.”
a. Still according to BOSC, Marc and GAGNON, André, The Procedure and practices of the House of Commons, Third edition, 2017, p. 81, “The basis of the power to punish contempt, whether it is a contempt of court or chambers, is that courts and chambers must be able to protect themselves against acts which directly or indirectly hinder the exercise of their functions.” i. BOSC, Marc and GAGNON, André, The Procedure and practices of the House of Commons, Third edition, 2017, note 119: “The House itself decides on its intervention when it makes REQUESTS In order to see the witnesses in committee to testify, those steps are requested: First step: The Committee recommend that an Order of the House be issued requiring Kristian Firth and Darren Anthony to appear before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates at dates and times determined by the Chair of the Committee, but within twenty-one (21) days of the adoption of this Order and with such accessibility accommodations the witnesses may request and the Chair may agree to arrange. Second step: After those twenty-one (21) days, if the Chair of the Committee informs the Speaker and Sergeant-at-Arms in writing that one or both have failed to appear as ordered. That the House declare the witnesses in contempt and impose the necessary sanctions in accordance with House procedure, including if necessary the special power of the Sergeant-at-Arms to issue an order and take the witnesses into custody. Third step: The Speaker shall inform the House, at the earliest opportunity, of the sanctions imposed and developments in this regard.
I tried to strike a balance with this subamendment. We respect the witnesses and the difficulties they told us about. We are offering them accommodations, while respecting House procedures. No one wants to be accused of intimidating or harassing others. The wording of the subamendment reflects all of that.