Evidence of meeting #137 for Justice and Human Rights in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was meeting.
A video is available from Parliament.
10:40 a.m.
As an Individual
Mr. Chair, I just want to point out that my written statement is longer. I did my very best to shave it all down to meet the time frame. The written statement has additional detail in it.
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Perfect.
Thank you very much.
Do all members of the committee have copies?
10:40 a.m.
A voice
Yes.
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Perfect.
The first round is six minutes for the Conservatives, six for the Liberals, six for the NDP, and six for the Liberals. We'll start with Ms. Raitt.
Ms. Raitt, the floor is yours.
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
Lisa Raitt Conservative Milton, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Butts.
I know all Canadians are intently watching the committee today.
We're going to try to find answers for you.
We are going to try to get some answers for everybody who is here today.
Thank you for noting the fact that your testimony is actually shorter than your written statement. But you did have an addition in your oral testimony that isn't in this, and I want to take you to it right now.
It's at the very beginning when you were talking about this notion of a legal opinion. You said that “We had a view” from the justice department “that it would be appropriate for her to seek independent advice from an eminent Canadian jurist or panel of jurists.” I assume that's.... I'd like to know when you received that view from the justice department, because it's a pretty interesting comment that the PMO would get a legal opinion from Justice.
10:45 a.m.
As an Individual
Let me make sure I state that point clearly.
The proposal was informed by a justice department memo, which I suspect you're going to want to talk to the deputy minister of justice about later. I believe it was an options memo, Ms. Raitt.
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
Lisa Raitt Conservative Milton, ON
Yes, and Jody Wilson-Raybould mentioned that. But how did you get possession of it, Mr. Butts?
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
Lisa Raitt Conservative Milton, ON
Is it possible that it was before September 17 that you received it?
10:45 a.m.
As an Individual
I respect your question, Ms. Raitt. We've known each other a long time
I believe it was in the context of the meeting of November 22, I think it was, between Elder Marques and Mathieu Bouchard and the minister, I believe.
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
Lisa Raitt Conservative Milton, ON
Just to clarify, there were three different types of legal opinions that your PMO staff were talking with Ms. Jody Wilson-Raybould about, according to her testimony, and they morphed from one type of opinion to another, starting with one kind of opinion in September and then.... But I'm not going to ask you about that. I'm going to ask you this.
Did anyone assist you with your testimony today?
10:45 a.m.
As an Individual
Yes. I had legal counsel assist me, and some friends who have nothing to do with the provincial—not the “provincial”, but the present—government. You guys are used to this; I'm not.
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
Lisa Raitt Conservative Milton, ON
Have you had discussions with the Prime Minister since you tendered your resignation?
10:45 a.m.
As an Individual
He called me once to wish me well.
I will say, Ms. Raitt, this is the longest I've gone in 30 years without talking to the Prime Minister.
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
Lisa Raitt Conservative Milton, ON
Fair enough.
You mentioned texts and email addresses. Given what we're seeing in another proceeding with respect to the government and the use of personal cellphones, can you tell me if the texts with the former minister were with a personal phone or one that was issued by the Government of Canada?