I'm going to rule that Ms. Rempel has her seven minutes and she is able to continue in the line of questioning that she has engaged in, provided two things.
One is that no one in this committee should impugn the reputation of any other member of Parliament, either directly or indirectly. It's very clear in the House of Commons rules that an indirect impugning of one's character by suggesting, either indirectly or directly, that they are not telling or will not tell the truth is not going to be allowed in this committee as long as I'm the chairperson.
Anybody who suggests that someone—on either side or either end of this table, if they are a member of Parliament or have taken an oath—is not acting appropriately, then they will be ruled out of order.
I will ask for the Speaker's help with respect to that person as a matter of parliamentary privilege. Part of parliamentary privilege is to be able to come to this committee having taken an oath and be assumed to be telling the truth. That is the fundamental nature of the Westminster parliamentary tradition.
Ms. Rempel will have the floor in a moment, when I'm finished. She will be able to continue, as she will define for herself—and then the court of public opinion will decide—whether she is relevant or not. That is for her to make up.
I'd like to finish this. I'd like to read that last statement. It goes to the point of impugning someone's character. While the rules of procedure have said one thing, in 1960, in relation to the appearance of current and former ministers, the law clerk of the House advised the chair of what was then the railways, canals and telegraph lines committee that in the view of his oath as a privy councillor, he need not necessarily be sworn, although it would not be inappropriate to do so if a member of the House committee raised the point.
I wanted to raise that point that there's no requirement, ever, for a member of the Privy Council—or, I would actually argue, a member of the House of Commons—to be sworn in. The motion was in order. You could entertain that; however, it was also in order that the committee voted that it was not necessary.
I've made those three statements. I understand, unfortunately, that the minister has to leave to go to another appointment he committed to from 3:30 to 4:30. The committee was all well aware of that. Unfortunately, he has to leave. Our committee will continue with officials.
Ms. Kwan.