Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Feb. 25th, 2016

[Prof. Daniel Jutras]

I think that goes to the mandate of our advisory board, as opposed to my personal qualifications and competence. The mandate of the committee is pretty clearly delineated in its terms of reference. I think the minister has made it very clear what the qualifications and merit-based assessment criteria are. Those have been made public.

I think that is one of the key features of the work we're doing. We're being as careful as we can to implement the criteria qualifications and merit-based elements that have been stipulated in our terms of reference.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Yes, I have to tell you that—

[Prof. Daniel Jutras]

Including, I might add, the idea of a proper understanding of legislative processes and the role of the Senate and its place in the constitutional order of Canada.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

I'm not real impressed with these answers, sir.

I think it's very legitimate for me to ask you what you're looking for, because you're the one who's going to decide who our lawmakers are. It's not me. It's not the Canadian people. It's going to be this committee. You get to decide. All I asked you was how you are going to find certain traits—in this case, the trait was accountability—and all you want to do is play politics with it and tell me why you shouldn't answer the question. I don't understand.

It's a very reasonable question, Mr. Chair.

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I believe the witness has done an excellent job at answering that question within the mandate of this committee.

Mr. Christopherson is badgering the witness and continues to do so.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

How can I be badgering when I can't get an answer?

All I'm asking.... It's a very legitimate question. How can it not be legitimate to ask them what they think, as they're looking at someone making a decision?

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

The answer Mr. Christopherson is looking for goes to the qualifications of the potentially appointed senator and not to the qualifications of the witness before us.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

I've played this straight, Mr. Chair, from the beginning of this process, even though we have no use for it or the Senate.

Unfortunately, the first engagement of games has come from the government's witness, who refuses and is trying to find a way not to answer a very reasonable question.

If I can't get the person choosing the senators to tell me how they're looking for accountability, how in the hell can we ever expect to have senators who believe accountability is part of being a parliamentarian?

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Well, you can ask—

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Yeah, crickets.

You know what? I'm done, and I'll support any action the Conservatives want to make to show everybody what a joke this is.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

The next questioner is David Graham.

[David Graham, Liberal, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Thank you.

I was reading over your CV.

You have held three positions abroad as a visiting professor, namely at the Institut d’études politiques de Paris, Louisiana State University, and Université d'Aix-Marseille III. You also studied at Harvard University.

Could you tell us a bit more about your experience abroad and explain how that experience would help you contribute to the work of the advisory board?

[Daniel Jutras]

Could you repeat your question? I did not quite hear it.

[David Graham, Liberal, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

You worked abroad on several occasions as a visiting professor and you studied at Harvard University.

Could you tell us a bit about that and explain how it is useful to your current work?

[Daniel Jutras]

Excellent. Thank you.

Like many academics at major Canadian universities, I had the opportunity to travel abroad to teach and give lectures. The interesting aspect of this experience was becoming familiar with the different cultures that are also part of the Canadian community. There are people in Canada who come from very different cultures and it is important, when considering their files, to be able to correctly assess the contribution they can make to an institution like the Senate.

Beyond that, there were rather academic lectures and courses that have no bearing on the Senate. This international experience is not in itself a fully relevant or essential part of my qualifications.

[David Graham, Liberal, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Thank you.

I also wanted to add that I will be sharing my time with Ms. Sahota.

You worked several years in private practice with the Borden Ladner Gervais law firm.

Since you have spent most of your career in the education field, I would like you to tell us a bit more about your experience in the private sector.

[Daniel Jutras]

Very well.

My position at Borden Ladner Gervais was not full time. I was legal counsel in that national law firm. I worked there after my time at the Supreme Court of Canada. I was hoping to gain a better understanding of class actions, in particular. As these are one of my areas of expertise, I thought it would be useful to get a better grasp of the realities of this phenomenon, to spend a few hours a week in a large firm. The people at the firm offered me the opportunity to work with them on some class action cases, and that is what I did for three years. However, I did that while continuing to work as a full professor at McGill University.

[David Graham, Liberal, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Thank you.

There are several members on the board. Did you already know them? Had you worked with them before?

[Daniel Jutras]

Are you referring to the other members of the advisory board?

[David Graham, Liberal, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Yes, precisely.

Did you already know them? Had you worked with them before?

[Daniel Jutras]

No. I did not know any of the members before we started working together a few weeks ago.

[David Graham, Liberal, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Do you think there is a good dynamic in this board?

[Daniel Jutras]

I am extremely proud of being part of this board because its members are remarkable individuals. If you have the list in front of you, you will see that many of them are members or companions of the Order of Canada. I am not one of them. In any case, I can tell you that Ms. Labelle's leadership is absolutely outstanding.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Sorry. Point of order.

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON]

Who made the point of order, Mr. Chair, that caused you to stop that?