Public Accounts Committee on Dec. 9th, 2010

[Jean-Claude D'Amours, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

That's one thing. I don't want to start another debate. I am going to be very careful about what I say.

I talked about inviting all the witnesses back for the reasons I explained. When we asked questions of one witness on Tuesday, often the witness would respond by saying he could only partly answer the question, and that the rest of the answer had to be provided by another department which was not represented at the table.

So, that's why I am suggesting that everyone be called back. If we were talking about targeting witnesses, I would not have a problem with that. But that is not what the motion says at this time.

The idea is to recall all the witnesses for the reasons I've already given. On a regular basis, witnesses were telling us to put those questions to someone else in another department—for example, to ask the Treasury Board Secretariat. Another time, instead of the Treasury Board Secretariat, it was National Defence that had to answer the question, and on and on.

So, if we invite them to appear individually…

[The Chair, Liberal, Joe Volpe]

Mr. D'Amours, I think everyone understands that you will be supporting the initial motion.

Okay.

Mr. Christopherson, I think he answered your question.

Those in favour of that motion, please raise your hand.

Those not in favour?

Given that the motion was presented here, without having had prior consideration and therefore an opportunity to establish its precedence, I'm going to maintain the status quo.

If I vote in favour of this motion, I will be changing the status quo, so I will not be voting in favour of the motion.

(Motion negatived)

The motion can be brought up at a steering committee, and we can debate it beyond that. Okay?

Thank you.

I imagine you guys are happy, but you might want to give us an alternative now.

[Andrew Saxton, Conservative, North Vancouver, BC]

I'm just impressed with your impartiality, Mr. Chair.

[An hon. member]

No, but it's just what's right, that's all.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joe Volpe]

I always do what's right.

Thank you, colleagues.

Monsieur D'Amours, if you want to raise this again, you can bring it on the table for a steering committee, when it next sits, and we'll take it from there.

If we have to repeat the vote and I want to do what's right, then my vote would probably reflect that I would be doing what's right.

[Proceedings continue in camera]