Evidence of meeting #65 for Public Accounts in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was gauvin.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
Can I have just one second to finish this up? I don't understand why notice needed to be given; it's already on this proposed schedule that we follow up discrepancies with Gomery.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
But Mr. Poilievre has a very specific request that we inquire into that matter.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
I've interpreted the committee as accepting it as an agenda item and that we deal with it when we're on that topic.
Mr. Christopherson, it's your kick at the cat.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Thank you, Chair.
Very briefly, I just wanted to ask if you and the staff would arrange, either at the steering committee or at the broader committee—if it is interested in a report—a very short briefing on that issue of the client–solicitor relationship. We may run into that again here, where we're dealing with institutions that have large legal departments. When they use that, I'd like to know where the legal lines are, so we don't make mistakes. But if you would have that followed up, I'd appreciate it.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
The legal counsel will be at our in camera session on Wednesday, and I think you could probably get an update on that.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
If the clerk would be good enough to give him a heads-up on that, so he could do a little prep work on that, I would appreciate it. Thank you.
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
Yes, I'm just trying to tie up a few loose ends.
Mr. Crupi said a number of times that he'd provide us with the reference letters he received, as a consequence of which he was hired by the Communications Security Establishment. Since he hasn't been providing them, I'd ask that we request DND to pull those out of their file to see who provided him with the references and why he was able to maintain his security status. He gave us a handwritten note, but that wasn't adequate.
I haven't seen anything come through, unless something has arrived.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
He's going to be here tomorrow, so you can certainly pursue that. But my understanding is that he said he gave references, as in the names of people.
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
No, no, it would have been a document with references.
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
Also, I had also at the time, when he provided a handwritten note with three names on it, asked that if Mr. Crupi no longer had the document, to request that letter from DND.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
We can deal with those tomorrow, and then we can order him to do that.
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
Okay.
The other question is this. Deputy Minister Guimont had undertaken at the last meeting to provide timelines, in a table, of the various actions that were taken, and my understanding was that he'd be able to do that quite expeditiously. I haven't seen anything come through on that.
Conservative
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
And my final question—again, just tying up these loose ends—is this. Mrs. Casey said that within 10 days she would provide the names of the 20 RCMP officials who were receiving hockey tickets from her company. The 10 days aren't up, but they will be pretty soon. So could we follow up to make sure the 10 days don't become 20, etc.?
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
We'll make sure that Georges gets right after them, if they haven't given us that information after the 10 days.
Right, Georges? Okay.
We have Mr. Williams.
Conservative
John Williams Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
I'm going back to this issue of the letter from the RCMP, Mr. Chairman, which I have now had a chance to read. I'm aghast—and to say that I am aghast is an understatement.
In the letter, Chief Superintendent Bob Paulson says:
I understand parliamentary privilege. I recognize the absolute nature of the privilege and the crucial role it plays in the effective functioning of Parliament.
Carrying on, Mr. Chairman, he goes on to say:
My investigation into the—
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
Save that for the in camera meeting on Wednesday. I don't think—
Conservative
John Williams Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
Mr. Chairman, let me just finish. He goes on to say:
My investigation into the matter is nearing its conclusion. Subject to the availability of Deputy Commissioner George's testimony as evidence, I have a belief that her testimony before the Committee was deliberately false—
Now Mr. Chairman—
Conservative
John Williams Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
My point, Mr. Chairman—and you must listen, as this is a point of order—
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
I don't see it as a point of order; it's a point of debate.
Conservative
John Williams Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
My point is quite clear. This guy, this chief superintendent, is completing a perhaps illegal investigation. He must be stopped now.