Evidence of meeting #72 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was campaign.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Mark Bourrie  Barrister and Solicitor, As an Individual
Michel Juneau-Katsuya  Former Chief of the Asia-Pacific Unit, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, As an Individual
Peter German  Barrister and Solicitor, Vancouver Anti-Corruption Institute
Nancy Bangsboll  Independent Researcher, As an Individual
Thomas Juneau  Associate Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa, As an Individual
Christian Leuprecht  Professor, Royal Military College of Canada, As an Individual
Jenni Byrne  As an Individual

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Jenni Byrne

I was not, as I was not in the Prime Minister's Office at the time.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Okay.

You were never briefed about foreign interference after John Baird took a job with a Chinese billionaire.

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Jenni Byrne

I was not. In 2015, I was the national campaign director.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

You were never briefed about foreign interference after that same Chinese billionaire donated $1 million to the National Arts Centre gala, while sitting next to the gala's honorary chair Laureen Harper.

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Jenni Byrne

I was not.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Madam Chair, I'll turn the rest of my time to Mr. Turnbull.

May 11th, 2023 / 1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON

Ms. Byrne, NSICOP, the critical election incident public protocol, the SITE task force, the rapid response mechanism, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, the plan to protect Canadian democracy, Bill C-59 and Bill C-76 are eight things that our government has done since 2015. Can you name eight from the Harper era?

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Jenni Byrne

What I can say is that regardless of all that—

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON

I'd like a yes or no.

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Jenni Byrne

Are you going to let me respond?

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON

Yes, if you answer the question. Is it yes or no?

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Jenni Byrne

I'm going to answer the question, but—

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON

Can you offer eight things?

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bardish Chagger

Okay. I'm going to pause the time. We're doing very well.

As we've always said, we ask questions and we answer. I was in that chair once upon a time, and I had the chair of a committee say to me really quickly that we know time belongs to members. I believe witnesses should also get time.

I will say the status quo around here—you've been in these hallways—is that it is the member's time, but Mr. Turnbull, I would ask that we give the witness time to answer.

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Jenni Byrne

Regardless of the eight things you named, we are still sitting here with the fact that for the last two elections, your government knowingly ignored advice from officials on foreign interference.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON

Could you name four things?

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Jenni Byrne

As I said, we are still sitting here, when your government is dragging its heels after repeatedly ignoring—

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON

How about just two things? I'm sorry to interrupt, Ms. Byrne, but we have very limited time. How about just two things?

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Jenni Byrne

I understand you're trying to turn this, but this has nothing to do—

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON

I'm not trying to turn anything. I'm just asking—

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Jenni Byrne

You absolutely are.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON

—you a simple question about whether in the Harper era.... We've heard many witnesses say the Harper government did nothing. You've claimed that our government has done nothing, and you asked me a question, which is the opposite of how these things are supposed to go.

I gave you eight tangible examples and you can't give me one. I find that telling.

1:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Jenni Byrne

Well....

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON

Okay. I'll move on.

Madam Chair, how much more time do I have?

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bardish Chagger

You have 10 seconds.