Procedure and House Affairs Committee on March 24th, 2011

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

I remember reminding her. I asked the minister whether she had reviewed 758 applications. She confirmed the 758. And I asked both witnesses, the minister and Ms. Biggs, if they could deliver up any and all examples of the 758.

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON]

You might have said that. Let's find the--

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

You can go back to the testimony.

Again, I'm not going to die on the hill on this, Mr. Chair. If it's not going to work, then let's move on.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Mr. Lukiwski.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

I think it's fairly important. The point Mr. McGuinty was trying to make is that if there were only two examples out of 758, perhaps it could be argued it wasn't common practice. I don't recall--and I'd like to check this out in testimony--Mr. McGuinty saying “any and all”. I believe Ms. Biggs just said they would endeavour to give us some examples to demonstrate that this was common practice. And that was the context in which this whole discussion took place. The minister stated in testimony that it was common practice for her to handle the requests in this fashion. And I believe they just said that they would endeavour to give some examples. I don't believe they said they would give all examples.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

The wording we're trying to get to here is that there are two documents, and they say that. Mr. McGuinty, you're trying to add something--

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Fine, I'll withdraw it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Great. That's an easier way to do it.

Mr. Reid.

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON]

I found Mr. McGuinty's testimony here--

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

He's already said he's not putting this piece in here.

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON]

I understand that. But he has asserted effectively that he asked for everything and only got some things.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Who's running the show here?

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I sometimes wonder myself, Monsieur Proulx.

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Mr. McGuinty actually said, and I'm quoting:

The Conservative government, the Harper regime, is very effective at doing good research. I'd just like to follow up on Mr. Martin's question. Can you table, or can Mrs. Biggs table, a single other project funding application with the word “not” inserted? Of the 758 that you have approved or reviewed, can you please table today a single other instance? Mrs. Biggs, in your recollection, since you're the head of CIDA, is there a single other instance when this has occurred?

That's what he said, not “all”--a “single” one.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Thank you. We're back to evidence again.

Monsieur Paquette, on any topic.

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I do want to say that we have two cases. We asked for them, we are including them and there is no problem there, except that both cases are in 2010, when in fact the Minister signed in 2009. I would have been interested to see cases dating back before November, 2009, in terms of documents that have handled in a similar manner. This is something we will have to follow up on.

[A voice]

That's a good point.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Again, I will offer that if you want to go looking for more evidence, we'll have to change where we are in the committee review of this report and go back to taking new evidence. If you'd like to do that, we can.

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

After the election.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I think you're pre-assuming something there.

[An hon. member]

So where were we?

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

We were about to pass paragraph 30 with the changes now to pluralize that there are two reports.

On paragraph 30, all in favour?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Great. Thank you.

(Paragraph 31 agreed to)

On paragraph 32.... Yes?

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Chairman, this paragraph refers to statements made by the Parliamentary Secretary and the Minister and specifically mentions April 23, 2010. The fact is that an answer to a question raised in the House could have been provided.

Indeed, another point that should be made in the report is the answer given by the Minister to Question 106 on the Order Paper which was, I would point out, a written question. So, I would simply like to see the date of April 23, 2010 added after the part where it says “in statements to the House of Commons, including one made on April 23, 2010 and in answer to Question 106 on the Order Paper”. It was the same date.

It's written, and there's no room for interpretation. It's question 106 on the Order Paper.