Evidence of meeting #55 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was c-43.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
However you got it is your business, but the clerk has it. I haven't read it, and it's going to be—
October 29th, 2012 / 5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Mr. Dykstra, it's going to be translated and given to the members of the committee, but just so you know, no one else has what you have.
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
I want to follow up on that, because we're now getting testimony—and I understand Mr. Brouwer can certainly do that, because he's responding to questions—and referencing a briefing that only one person on this committee received. I don't know how they got it. I kind of think I know how, but that's neither here nor there. The fact is that I don't think you can refer to a briefing note that no one else has as proof for what we should be doing or not doing with respect to this bill.
I'd ask you to make a judgment on that.
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
How can you use a briefing note that no one has, to produce evidence?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Mr. Regan has said he doesn't know of any rule, and I don't either.
However, Ms. Sitsabaiesan, we'll proceed. But remember that what you're saying is unfair to the other committee members. You have something the other members don't have. It is unfair for you to refer to evidence and put it on the record when no other member has it.
Conservative
Roxanne James Conservative Scarborough Centre, ON
I believe so.
You've indicated that it's unfair. A briefing has been sent to the clerk to be translated and to be distributed amongst all members. Then we find out that one particular member on this committee has this secret document. It must be secret because I have no idea what she's referring to.
My concern is that you've just ruled or stated that it's unfair that one member has read it, has been briefed on it, is referring questions to it, and no one on this side has any idea what that briefing is. So I would ask that that testimony be removed from the record and that any future questions exclude that briefing, in all fairness, Mr. Chair.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
We can't remove things from the record. Many of us would like to have it that way, but it can't be done.
I've made my comment. I have a list here, so you'll have to wait your turn.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
I've made my comment that it's unfair that you say that.
Are we going to continue on with that? Hopefully, she'll take that into consideration as she's proceeding.
Mr. Menegakis, do you have a point?
Conservative
Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON
Yes, Mr. Chair, I do have a point.
Because we don't know how Ms. Sitsabaiesan got a copy of this briefing, it lends one to believe that there's been some communication between the witness and Ms. Sitsabaiesan. I believe there's bias in that.
Conservative
Conservative
Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON
No, I want to finish my point, please.
If people think it's funny, it's not funny.
Conservative
Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON
There are 11 members here on the committee, the chair plus 10, and we should have the same information when we have an opportunity to question a witness who has taken the time to appear before us. I believe that raises serious credibility about the entire testimony of the witness, not having an answer as to how Ms. Sitsabaiesan got a copy of this briefing—
Conservative
Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON
—that only the clerk had.
That's my point. Thank you.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
I didn't really want to get into this, Mr. Chairman. I just want to say that I've seen lots of cases in the past when members of committees have spoken with witnesses before a meeting. It's not uncommon for that to happen, or to have interactions between—I've seen that from all sides of the House.
I think your suggestion was a wise one, sir. I think we should move on.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
I do too. I speak to witnesses before. I say hello to them.
Ms. Sims.
