Evidence of meeting #63 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 whistle-blowers.
A video is available from Parliament.
6:30 p.m.
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Thank you for your work and for being here. We appreciate it very much.
6:30 p.m.
Conservative
6:30 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
We've heard concerns that the requirement to provide support is not sufficiently defined and that it could impair confidentiality provisions. In your opinion, what would a good definition of support look like, and how could this harm a whistle-blower's ability to remain anonymous?
6:30 p.m.
Senior Fellow, Centre for Free Expression
I think we're getting into questions that have a lot of moving parts. We'll offer to provide follow-up answers in writing to almost anything you've asked.
I should say that in other jurisdictions this is a reality. We know how it's done. It's being done in lots of places. It's not impossible. It's not even very difficult. You're best to talk to people from these other jurisdictions who can give you chapter and verse.
6:30 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Do you think the addition of abuse of authority and political interference as categories of wrongdoing is a positive addition? Do these categories present any issues, or how can they be better defined?
6:30 p.m.
Senior Fellow, Centre for Free Expression
I think people should be able to report anything that they see as being wrong. If the 911 service operated the way that this law operates, when you called in you wouldn't be asked which service you wanted. You'd be asked what law was being broken and which section, if you could forward with the proof, and if you'd like to breathalyze the person.
That's the way it works, but you should be able to come forward and say that this is wrong, that you don't know which law it affects, but this is clearly wrong. I'm just a witness. I came along and saw this. I don't have all the information. It's your job to go investigate and figure out what actually happened. Find all the rest of the evidence and find out if I'm just mistaken.
6:30 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
I have 30 seconds left. I'm going to give it to you. Is there anything you want to add to close?
6:30 p.m.
Senior Fellow, Centre for Free Expression
It's so important for this committee to step up to the mark here. I believe that it will. I believe this bill is going to pass. I believe that, even with your best efforts, it will not significantly change the trajectory because of the limitations of the private member's bill. I think you should look at ways to signal very clearly what else needs to be done now and not wait for this task force that could be another few years.
We've gone 17 years without a single solitary improvement to this law. It's delivering zilch. It's an insult to Canadians. We need to fix it now, so please help us do that.
6:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Gentlemen, thank you very much.
For anyone sitting at home viewing—I know there are tens of millions—you can see why I call Mr. Hutton and Mr. Bron friends of OGGO.
I sincerely appreciate your appearance and your time and your advocacy. I'll excuse you. I just need to gather my colleagues for about 30 seconds for some other business. Again, gentlemen, thank you sincerely for everything you've done and thank you for your time.
Colleagues, before we adjourn, the clerk was kind enough to distribute the revised budgets for the oft-delayed shipbuilding tour. I need committee approval, the first one for the national shipbuilding strategy east.
6:30 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
6:30 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
6:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
If there is nothing else, we will adjourn.
Thank you very much.