Evidence of meeting #119 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was back.
A video is available from Parliament.
6:30 p.m.
Conservative
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Conservative
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Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Chair, during Mr. Brock's round of questions, he put a very direct question to the witness regarding the names of companies. The witness indicated that she didn't want to provide an answer. That's lovely, but we are a parliamentary committee and we have a history of using the tools the House provides us with to insist on answers.
In respect of those rules, I would like you to put the question to the witness, Chair, with the witness understanding that we expect an answer to the question, in order to not be in contempt of the committee.
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Thank you, Mr. Genuis. It's a good point.
Colleagues, this is the exact same issue we had with Mr. Firth, where very clear and direct questions were put, and he refused to answer. I'm not saying we're going down the same path as with Mr. Firth, but a very clear question was provided, and I think the committee deserves a very clear answer.
If you are going to provide the name of the resources to us in writing, I think that will be acceptable to the committee.
6:35 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Departmental Oversight Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I will repeat my answer. I'll consult with colleagues internally, and we'll do everything in our power to provide the names to the committee, while respecting legal and confidentiality requirements.
It's not that we don't want to answer the question, but we want to be sure—
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
I'm going to interrupt you there.
I'm sorry, but we've been through this repeatedly. We've had the law clerk with us.
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Conservative
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Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
I'm sorry, Mr. Genuis, but I have the floor.
We've been through this repeatedly with various departments, yours included.
This committee and Parliament supersede privacy law. It was a very clear question. Again, I think you mentioned three resources, three companies. After everything we've seen with GC and this report, I think it's fair to ask that you do provide it to us so we can avoid, perhaps, the issue Mr. Genuis is referring to.
Can you do that for us, Ms. Reza?
6:35 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I certainly can. I just want to add a footnote to this. I believe there's a production order, and this is probably part of the hesitancy. Understanding that, we will come back with the names.
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
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Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
No, let me.
I think the question is pretty clear. My request is that this be provided. I don't think we wish it would be part of the production order. If you could provide it separately, as has been requested by Mr. Brock, that would be wonderful.
Thank you.
6:35 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I apologize. I'm saying those names are under a production order right now for the RCMP, but we're going to come back to you. I wasn't proposing anything else.
Thank you.
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
6:35 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
We'll try over the next few days to see exactly what the assessment is and provide it as quickly as possible.
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Conservative
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Conservative
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Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Again, I don't believe the deputy minister truly appreciates the role of parliamentary committees.
As the chair has indicated, privacy is trumped by this committee. The fact you received a production order by the RCMP for the identity of those three sources does not in any way allow you to prevent this committee from receiving those names. There is no legal impediment for you to deliver those names to this committee. The issue of privacy is not relevant.
As I've indicated already, every single person—
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Mr. Brock, I'm going to interrupt you there.
I think I've been clear. We'll say please provide this information as has been requested by Mr. Brock by Friday.
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
On a point of order, Chair, are the witnesses committing to provide that information or to come back with some further thoughts on whether or not—
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
They will provide the information Mr. Brock has requested by this Friday.
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
The committee agrees to that, to require that.
Okay, good.