Evidence of meeting #126 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was agreed.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON
This is not actually a new amendment. It's a new clause after clause 252.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
We have two Conservative proposals that add a clause after clause 252, which we just approved.
The first one is reference number 10009236.
Would the Conservatives present that amendment, please.
4:55 p.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Sure. This ensures that the solicitor-client privilege is not waived on litigation expense disclosures. I think that we are seeing in society at all levels of government, more and more litigation with elections and with outcomes of elections. I am hoping we're going the way of the United States—that's a joke.
We believe ensuring that the solicitor-client privilege is not waived on litigation expense disclosures provides for more transparency in the disclosure process.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
4:55 p.m.
LCdr Jean-François Morin
No.
4:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
4:55 p.m.
LCdr Jean-François Morin
No.
Seriously, Mr. Graham, I don't have any specific comments. I'll only say that in recent years—and I don't have specific cases to note—the Supreme Court of Canada has repeatedly reinforced the importance of solicitor-client privilege in Canada, and I don't think that anyone would require the disclosure of such documents.
4:55 p.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
I'm sorry. To clarify, Monsieur Morin, the solicitor-client privilege is something that.... The privilege of clients to not identify their solicitor, is that something that is in law at present? Is it a privilege that you do not have to disclose who your solicitor is?
4:55 p.m.
LCdr Jean-François Morin
No—
4:55 p.m.
LCdr Jean-François Morin
Yes, I'm sorry. The solicitor-client privilege is about protecting the communications between the client and the solicitor.
4:55 p.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
I see. Pardon me. My apologies. I misunderstood that.
Okay, I will leave it at that, then.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
All in favour of the CPC amendment with reference number 10009236 please signify.
4:55 p.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
That's correct.
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings]
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Now you can introduce the amendment with the reference number 10009236.
