National Defence Committee on June 5th, 2013

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

A point of order, Mr. McKay.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

I'd like to have the witness sworn in, if I may, please.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

You want the witness sworn in? What's the normal process in this—

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

There's no reason why not.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Hold on one minute while we clarify. It's not the practice of this committee to swear in.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

But it is the practice of any committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

On this point of order, Mrs. Gallant.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

You may recall that when we were in opposition we wanted the then minister of defence to be sworn in. We were told at that time that it was not normal procedure to have to swear a witness in. It was presumed they would be telling the truth.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

On that point of order, it doesn't really give direction on it, other than that a committee may request it. It's up to the committee when we have an issue being raised. It's in chapter 20, page 1066, of House of Commons Procedure and Practice:

The House recommends that its committees advise witnesses of their rights and duties and of the penalties to which they are liable if they refuse to respond to committees’ requests.

Any witness appearing before a committee may be required to take an oath or make a solemn affirmation. As a general rule, committees, which have full discretion in this matter, seldom require witnesses to be sworn in. A witness who refuses to be sworn in might be charged with contempt of the House. Likewise, refusal to answer questions or failure to reply truthfully may give rise to a charge of contempt of the House, whether the witness has been sworn in or not.

On a point of order, Mr. Alexander.

[Chris Alexander, Conservative, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

Given the witness's credentials, given his record, given his experience, and given the circumstances of our invitation for this report, we would be very much opposed to swearing him in.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

On that point of order, Mr. McKay.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

The witness can request to be sworn in.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

The witness can request it.

You're okay with being sworn in, Mr. Kirkland?

[Corporal Glen Kirkland, As an Individual]

Yes, I'd actually prefer it, sir.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

You prefer it? Okay.

This is a Liberal witness, so Mr. McKay is asking for it.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Or Conservative.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Mr. Kirkland says he will be sworn in, so I'll ask the clerk to administer the oath.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Leif-Erik Aune]

Mr. Kirkland, would you prefer a religious text or a solemn affirmation?

[Cpl Glen Kirkland]

Religious.

[The Clerk]

You're comfortable with the full name Glen Kirkland, sir?

[Cpl Glen Kirkland]

Yes, sir.

[The Clerk]

Then please repeat after me: I, Glen Kirkland, do swear that the evidence I shall give on this examination shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.

[Cpl Glen Kirkland]

I, Glen Kirkland, do swear that the evidence I will give on this examination shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Okay, that's a first time for me.

Corporal, the floor is yours.

[Cpl Glen Kirkland]

Do you mind if I stand? My back is killing me. Is that okay?