Evidence of meeting #31 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 clear.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Maybe I should have said that nothing needs to be done at this time.
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
I wouldn't even agree with that, Mr. Chair.
As much as I try to be an agreeable person, in this case I find this very troubling and unfortunate.
Liberal
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
I guess my question to that, Mr. Chair, would be, what is the effect of the committee? Does the committee not have to make some kind of determination or to report something back to the House related to this matter? I'm not certain as to the proper procedure to follow there, but certainly I would not agree to seeing anything reported back stating that the committee doesn't feel a need to pursue it.
Obviously the government has the ability to shut this down and sweep it under the rug like they're trying to do, and that may be what they chose to do, but I don't certainly don't agree to it.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
It's up to the committee whether we report anything back to the House, but we do have to end this debate somehow.
Liberal
Arnold Chan Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
I think the matter has been disposed of. I am content to leave it where it is.
Liberal
Arnold Chan Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
It's done. It's already on the record. This is an open process here. It's on the record.
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
I have one final comment, Mr. Chair.
Again, it's unfortunate that, given the opportunity on five occasions today, a couple of members chose not to give the opportunity for openness, accountability, and transparency. I hoped that there would be some courage of conviction shown and that they would indicate something that would say that there is no need to look further into this. I think this will be viewed very harshly by Canadians. It seems to me that they just want to let this die quietly and sweep it under the rug. As unfortunate as that is, with the majority of the committee, I guess it's their ability to do so, Mr. Chair. I certainly will condemn them for it.
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Okay.
Thank you.
I just want to remind you that the Chief Electoral Officer is coming to our next meeting, on Tuesday, October 4. He is going to present his report “An Electoral Framework for the 21st Century: Recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada Following the 42nd General Election”. This is standard procedure, and there are recommendations in this report, so I think it will be a very meaningful discussion.
If there is nothing else....
Liberal
Arnold Chan Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Mr. Chair, maybe we can recess briefly, and then I think we agreed that we would go into the subcommittee, which is obviously in camera.
