Evidence of meeting #132 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 pps.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Okay, because if you have the decision requiring you to negotiate now, is it still necessary to pursue that labour board ruling?
11:45 a.m.
C/Supt Jane MacLatchy
I believe that, moving forward, one union is the ideal structure for us as an organization, so yes, I would suggest that we still want to move forward on that application.
We were advised previously that based on the legislation that created PPS, we would not be in a tenable position going forward if we did our collective bargaining while we are awaiting that decision. The arbitrator ruled against that and has directed us to begin collective bargaining, which takes that jeopardy off us. We are perfectly happy to go forward with collective bargaining with all three units at this time, but that application is still pending.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
11:45 a.m.
C/Supt Jane MacLatchy
We have named a lead negotiator, and we have a team behind them at this point, yes.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
That's good to hear.
I met a large group of new PPS recruits on the Hill a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty nice to meet 20-or-so new members.
How are they trained on privilege? I'm just curious about the process because, as you know, our concern on this committee has been ensuring that privilege is protected at all times. The RCMP is a police force rather than a protective force. I want to make sure that the training is properly separated in that regard.
11:45 a.m.
C/Supt Jane MacLatchy
Absolutely, sir, I can assure you that they are trained in the recruit program. In the basic training of our new protection officers, privilege is definitely highlighted in the midst of the training by our PPS trainers. We also bring in representatives from both administrations to speak to them on privilege. It's certainly not something that's thrown in on the side of somebody's desk. It's a definite piece within that training program, and it's something that they work very hard on.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
If I may, I would note that some of the funds requested were in relation to the vehicle screening facility. In relation to that, the priority there from the PPS is privilege, so that members aren't held up there unduly.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
I have experienced interesting interactions at the VSF. You show your ID and they are looking for something, but if they don't see it right away, they'll open your car and start searching. Once you say, “I'm a member”, then they say, “Sorry sir, you can carry on”. I get the point.
You said that you're acquiring seven new vehicles to replace the vans that are on the Hill. Are they going to be marked vehicles?
11:45 a.m.
C/Supt Jane MacLatchy
No. This time we've decided that they will not be marked vehicles.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
11:45 a.m.
Stephanie Kusie Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I thank our esteemed witnesses for being here today.
Mr. Robert, who has control or management of the parliamentary staff assigned to support interparliamentary associations, please?
11:45 a.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Correct. Who has management of the parliamentary staff assigned to support interparliamentary associations, please?
11:45 a.m.
Clerk of the House of Commons
The parliamentary association is part of the IIA. Therefore, it would be under the clerk assistant and then the clerk assistant answers to me.
11:45 a.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Okay.
Is that staff support funded from the budget assigned to interparliamentary associations?
Is it part of the general House administration budget, which is administered by or on behalf of the Clerk of the House?
11:45 a.m.
Clerk of the House of Commons
If it were dealing with salaries of staff, I would assume that it's not part of the association, but it would be part of the administration.
11:45 a.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Okay.
Are the clerks and staff authorized to participate in unofficial activities of the interparliamentary associations?
11:45 a.m.
Clerk of the House of Commons
Unofficial activities...? I'm not sure to what you're referring.
11:45 a.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
If there were activities that were not deemed to be official, but unofficial, would the clerks and staff be authorized to participate in something like that?
If there was, in fact, an unofficial meeting, would they be authorized to participate in these meetings?
11:45 a.m.
Clerk of the House of Commons
I suspect you might be referring to what occurred several weeks ago. The question then would be whether or not a determination was made as to whether or not it was official or unofficial.
11:45 a.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Thank you.
If a meeting is held outside of an association's constitution, bylaws or rules, would you consider that meeting illegitimate?
11:50 a.m.
Clerk of the House of Commons
If it could be determined that it was, in fact, outside of the constitutional boundaries of the association, I think it would raise serious questions.
11:50 a.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
At such a meeting, if it was illegitimate, would the clerks and staff provide support and assistance?
