In the execution of our physical security mandate throughout the precinct and the grounds of Parliament Hill, we strive to uphold the doctrine of privilege so as to ensure that the integrity of both Houses is protected from outside influences attempting to alter the proceedings of Parliament.
With that, I will now provide an overview of the events leading up to the incident that has raised the question of privilege, occurring on March 22, 2017.
As you all know, our operating environment is complex, and that is only amplified by the evolving nature of the global and domestic threat environment.
In the end, I can offer no excuse for the delay, and I accept all responsibility.
On March 22, the PPS was in the process of making necessary adjustments to and operationalizing a security posture to support the tabling of budget 2018 at 16:00 hours. With the primacy of security operations in mind, the PPS was striving to balance the openness and accessibility of the grounds, which included the unobstructed access of parliamentarians and ensuring that the freedoms associated with the press were maintained, with the critical need to ensure that the posture reflected the needs of the global threat environment.
I would now like to focus on the circumstances surrounding the point of order that was tabled by members of Parliament Raitt and Bernier.
The issue of privilege was raised as a result of delays these two MPs experienced because of the temporary closure of the vehicle screening facility on March 22. As a result of this delay, the two MPs were late for a procedural affairs vote that was occurring in the House of Commons.
It was initially believed that the closure of the VSF and resulting delays stemmed from the movement of the Prime Minister's motorcade; however, it was later concluded, based on documented timings of the Prime Minister's motorcade movements on that day, that the delay was in fact caused by the arrival of the media bus and the security motorcade that was escorting the bus, under the parliamentary protective service escort, on the grounds, to continue and maintain the continuity from the budget lockdown and destined for the budget announcement.
As the media bus was transiting through the bollards at the south street entrance, traffic at the VSF was erroneously paused for approximately eight minutes. According to the communications centre camera footage, this closure impacted the movements of three parliamentary buses arriving between 15:48 and 15:54 and departing the VSF between 15:56 and 15:57. We can confirm that the three buses were impacted by the closure of the vehicle screening facility.
The reason that the vehicle screening facility is paused is strictly for vehicular safety reasons, so as to avoid collisions between the VSF, which is very proximate to the south Sank bollards exit.... That exit was used due to the large media bus that was transiting through. It was a coach bus. It's also used for articulated construction vehicles or larger construction vehicles, as the turning radius and ground clearance at other entrances can be impediments. During these delays, the PPS can confirm that it was directly associated with this event.
On March 24, the PPS undertook a review of the additional footage from the command centre that corroborates the interaction that took place between MP Bernier and the PPS member when the MP approached the PPS to seek clarification as to why the buses were not being permitted through the VSF.
Unfortunately, MP Bernier was told that the causes of the delay were unknown. So Mr. Bernier returned to the bus shelter located on lower drive at the Bank Street extension. The PPS can confirm that this interaction took place between 3:53 p.m. and 3:54 p.m., concurrent to the bus delays owing to the temporary closure of the vehicle screening facility.
Based on the investigation that the PPS conducted into the question of privilege surrounding this incident, which included a thorough review of OCC camera footage, the acquisition of timings associated with the movements of the PM's motorcades, and interviews with the PPS employees involved, the PPS concluded that the delays experienced on March 22 were due to the erroneous and extended temporary closure of the VSF in order to accommodate the movement of the media bus up to Centre Block in time for the budget announcement that was scheduled for 16:00 hours.
In light of this conclusion, the PPS would like to apologize to MP Raitt and MP Bernier for the delays they experienced and the subsequent impacts that this delay caused, and to reiterate the PPS's commitment to uphold the doctrine of parliamentary privilege by ensuring their unfettered and unimpeded access to their House, especially for votes. The PPS remains committed to ensuring that the rights, powers, and immunities afforded to parliamentarians are protected while balancing the physical security requirements necessitated by the unique needs of our operating environment, which is defined by the evolving needs of the domestic and global threat environment.
I'd now like to take just a few moments to outline the steps that were taken prior to and also after the incident to prevent a reoccurrence.
In addition to our existing training curriculum for PPS personnel, which provides all PPS recruits with an overview of parliamentary privilege and the democratic necessity of ensuring full adherence to this doctrine throughout the execution of our mandate, the PPS has also developed, in consultation with both administrations, a parliamentary privilege pamphlet, which is shared with its partners who are operating within the precinct in support of PPS for major operations. Information on parliamentary privilege is reiterated at all operational briefings and remains included in all operational plans.
However, the PPS remains committed to improvements, and the unfortunate events of March 22 remind us that there exists an opportunity to further enhance our efforts to ensure that all PPS employees are familiar with the doctrine of privilege and its application throughout the PPS operating environment. As such, the PPS continues to develop ways, in partnership with the House of Commons administration, to improve our existing curriculum and to expand on our awareness familiarization efforts, so as to ensure incidents of this nature are prevented in the future. In addition, from an operational perspective, the PPS has also formalized the process that will include an overarching radio broadcast to all PPS personnel on the frequencies to alert PPS members of a pending vote, so that all measures can be taken to ensure unfettered access.
In closing, and as acting director of the parliamentary protective service, I'd like to once again extend my apologies to MP Raitt and MP Bernier, and in fact to the broader institution of Parliament, for the unnecessary delays they experienced. I'd also like to express my gratitude to all committee members for the opportunity to be here today. Despite the circumstances surrounding this appearance, it has provided the PPS with the chance to further enhance our commitment, ensuring that we remain accountable to a mandate that exceeds physical security, but rather encompasses all elements, including privilege, that are critical to ensuring that the integrity of both Houses is protected.