No, I'm not.
Evidence of meeting #23 for National Defence in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was investigation.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #23 for National Defence in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was investigation.
A video is available from Parliament.
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
On what date did Zita Astravas talk to Elder Marques?
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
Harjit S. Sajjan Liberal Vancouver South, BC
I believe it was immediately after I informed her, and then she informed the Privy Council Office.
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
How many times did Zita Astravas contact the PMO regarding these allegations against General Vance, and what were the subsequent dates of those communications, whether they were in person, phone calls or by email?
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
Harjit S. Sajjan Liberal Vancouver South, BC
We're not sure exactly of the number of times. I do know that I had a number of conversations with my chief of staff, making sure to inquire if there was any progress on the allegations and if the former ombudsman had provided the necessary information.
But the most important thing here is making sure that we actually had independence on the investigation. Our purpose was to inform the Privy Council Office so that an independent investigation could occur, and that's exactly what has taken place. She informed—
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
Harjit S. Sajjan Liberal Vancouver South, BC
Sorry, Madam Chair, if you would let me finish.
She informed the Prime Minister's Office of her actions that she had taken, but the clear point here is making sure that there was independence of the investigation. That's exactly what she did when she contacted the Privy Council Office.
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
What exactly did Zita Astravas communicate about the allegations against General Vance?
11:35 a.m.
Liberal
Harjit S. Sajjan Liberal Vancouver South, BC
Exactly what had transpired: that the meeting took place with the former ombudsman and that we were contacting the Privy Council Office so that an independent investigation could occur.
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Minister, what was the Prime Minister's Office response to Zita Astravas after they were made aware of these allegations, and what direction did they give back to Zita Astravas?
11:35 a.m.
Liberal
Harjit S. Sajjan Liberal Vancouver South, BC
Our responsibility was to, first of all, given the seriousness of the allegations themselves, make sure that the Privy Council Office was informed, so that the first step of it was whoever possibly was going to come forward with information, as we thought at that time, so that action could be taken, and that's exactly what took place. Then she informed the Prime Minister's Office of her actions.
What we also wanted to do was not interfere with anything further in the investigation. So in this case we were able—
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
What investigation? There was no investigation that had started at that point in time.
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Nobody had information. The Privy Council Office under Janine Sherman had said that there wasn't an investigation. They still didn't have the evidence. The ombudsman could not go out and do the investigation. Military experts and justice experts have said that there was no political interference because there was no investigation started and no direction given by you.
Minister, have you always been 100% truthful when you have testified before this committee, yes or no?
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Minister, in front of this committee, you did state, “First of all, as the Prime Minister has stated, he was informed that I had raised those concerns with the Privy Council Office”. That was on March 12. Did you say that at committee, yes or no?
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Your direct quote is, “First of all, as the Prime Minister has stated, he was informed that I had raised those concerns with the Privy Council Office”.
11:35 a.m.
Liberal
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
So you misspoke there?
Did you think the Prime Minister was aware that you had raised these concerns with the Privy Council Office—
11:35 a.m.
Liberal
Harjit S. Sajjan Liberal Vancouver South, BC
No. As I stated, my chief of staff informed the Prime Minister's Office.
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Who informed you that the Prime Minister was aware that you had raised these concerns with the—
11:35 a.m.
Liberal