Procedure and House Affairs Committee on March 17th, 2011

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I would never do that to you, sir, never.

Let's finish your time.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Chair, I would like a simple answer to my question. Are there any costs that do not appear in the document because the information constitutes a Cabinet confidence? That is a simple question.

Are there any costs or explanations that do not appear in the document, yes or no?

[Vic Toews, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Chair, in response to that question, I can say that I'm not aware of any costs that are protected by cabinet confidence. This is all information that the officials had available to them. The officials have answered the questions in a fulsome way that responds to not only the letter but the spirit of the Speaker's ruling.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

There are two minutes left, Mr. Martin.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Thank you.

Is it your testimony then, Minister, that there was no other financial--

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Mr. Martin, through the chair, please.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Oh, come on. This is the first time I've ever seen that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Well, it will prevent us from having arguments, so let's just try it.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Through the chair, I would like to know if there is any financial information whatsoever associated with the costing of the crime bills that is being withheld from the committee by virtue of your calling it a cabinet confidence.

[Vic Toews, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Well, Mr. Chair, all I can say is that the material that is here for you today to review along with--

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

You're not answering the question, Minister.

[Vic Toews, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

--many of the committee members is that this material--

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Chairman, the minister is not answering the question I've put to him.

[Vic Toews, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

This responds to the--

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Just give him a chance.

[Vic Toews, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

--ruling of the Speaker in a fulsome way. It respects the letter and the spirit of the ruling. And I am--

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Could I ask, through you again, Mr. Chairman, is there any other financial advice or information you were given by cabinet memorandum associated with the whole cost of any of your crime agenda that you're withholding from the committee because you consider it to be a cabinet confidence?

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Mr. Minister, please.

[Vic Toews, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

I can indicate I am not withholding any information.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

There you go.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Were you given any advice on these bills from Treasury Board, the Department of Finance, or the PCO?

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I wasn't given any advice.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

You're not the Speaker of the House. You're putting on airs here.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I am chair of the committee. Thank you for the respect, Mr. Martin.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Okay. The cabinet memorandum had advice from the Department of Finance, Treasury Board, and the PCO. Was there any information given to you about the cost impact to the provinces in your consideration of any of these crime agenda bills?