Evidence of meeting #131 for National Defence in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was reserves.
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4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
—a way to continue to do this, but I would encourage members—
4:20 p.m.
An hon. member
It's debate. You're eating up our time.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
No, there's a certain level of integrity that the member is trying to impugn, and I don't think it's appropriate.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Stephen Fuhr
Everyone just chill out. I'm stopping the clock. I'm going to manage this.
He has a point of order, and I'm going to address it.
I bought up the fact that you're trying to tie this to the conversation. I understand that. We do have to, and we all know this is the rule. There's a criminal case going on right now. So tread very carefully in how you ask your questions.
We'll proceed, and if I feel you're going outside the lines, I will—
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Leona Alleslev Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Indemnification is the question. It is outside the criminal trial. It's a very specific thing.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Stephen Fuhr
I understand that completely, and I would caution you about putting words in the minister's mouth
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
February 28th, 2019 / 4:20 p.m.
Conservative
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Leona Alleslev Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
So I would ask one more time if I could just have a yes or no: will you indemnify Admiral Norman?
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Harjit S. Sajjan Liberal Vancouver South, BC
Mr. Chair, I'm going to be very clear about this. This is before the courts, and I will not be discussing it.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Leona Alleslev Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Thank you.
We understand from the media that the CDS met with two unelected partisan staffers over dinner to discuss the criminal proceedings. The CDS is under your direct authority. He reports to you, and to you alone. I'm wondering if you will be seeking disciplinary action for a breach in chain of command.
4:20 p.m.
An hon. member
How is that tied to the budget?
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
There's no evidence on this case, so can I speak before you?
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
That point of order falls under, one, operations. The operations of CDS is command and control, and he reports directly to the minister. This is definitely part of spending, and so we should have a chance to speak about this when it comes down to any concerns about the CDS.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
I have a point of order. I would like to add to that point of order, Mr. Chair.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
The line of questioning Ms. Alleslev has now gone into has nothing to do with the budget. It's specifically about a particular individual and somewhere they may or may not have been and had done. This has nothing to do with the supplementary estimates before us today for our review with the minister.
