While I'm new to this committee, I do find Mr. Komarnicki's comments rather odd, because as committee members, we do have the right to cut in when a witness is answering a question. In this particular instance, a member who also happens to be chairing today's meeting, is putting his questions in French, and there is a bit of a time lag between the question and the answer because Ms. Jackson must wait for the translation. A great deal of his time is lost because of the translation. As I see it, the member has every right to interrupt the witness once he has received the answer he was looking for. I don't see a problem there and I think Ms. Jackson is fine with this as well. I have no problem with Mr. Lessard chairing this meeting and at the same time, putting questions to the witness. This is quite acceptable in a committee setting.
On June 18th, 2009. See this statement in context.