Evidence of meeting #84 for National Defence in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was families.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Russell Mann  Director, Military Family Services, Department of National Defence
Glen Kirkland  As an Individual
Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Leif-Erik Aune

4:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

A point of order, Mr. McKay.

4:40 p.m.

Liberal

John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON

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

4:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

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

4:40 p.m.

Liberal

John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON

There's no reason why not.

4:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

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

4:40 p.m.

Liberal

John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON

But it is the practice of any committee.

4:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

On this point of order, Mrs. Gallant.

4:40 p.m.

Conservative

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.

4:40 p.m.

Conservative

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.

4:40 p.m.

Conservative

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.

4:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

On that point of order, Mr. McKay.

4:40 p.m.

Liberal

John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON

The witness can request to be sworn in.

4:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

The witness can request it.

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

June 5th, 2013 / 4:40 p.m.

Corporal Glen Kirkland As an Individual

Yes, I'd actually prefer it, sir.

4:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

You prefer it? Okay.

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

4:40 p.m.

Liberal

John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON

Or Conservative.

4:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

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

4:40 p.m.

The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Leif-Erik Aune

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

4:40 p.m.

Cpl Glen Kirkland

Religious.

4:45 p.m.

The Clerk

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

4:45 p.m.

Cpl Glen Kirkland

Yes, sir.

4:45 p.m.

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.

4:45 p.m.

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.

4:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

Okay, that's a first time for me.

Corporal, the floor is yours.

4:45 p.m.

Cpl Glen Kirkland

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