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.
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON
This is not actually a new amendment. It's a new clause after clause 252.
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.
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.
Liberal
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.
October 17th, 2018 / 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?
LCdr Jean-François Morin
Yes, I'm sorry. The solicitor-client privilege is about protecting the communications between the client and the solicitor.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
I see. Pardon me. My apologies. I misunderstood that.
Okay, I will leave it at that, then.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
All in favour of the CPC amendment with reference number 10009236 please signify.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
That's correct.
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Now you can introduce the amendment with the reference number 10009236.
