Public Accounts Committee on Oct. 9th, 2024

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Mr. Drouin, this is not a point of order.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Well, it would be thrown out of court if this were a real court. This is a kangaroo court.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

As government members are prone to remind this committee, we are not a court. This is a question and answer session.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

We'll quote that.

Thank you so much.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

I've said that before, many times. It is not a court. We're here to ask questions and receive answers.

Mr. Cooper, you may proceed.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

Mr. Bains, did the other five candidates have conflicts of interest, as Ms. Verschuren did, yes or no?

[Navdeep Bains]

It's important to note that all public office-holders must respect and follow the Conflict of Interest Act.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

You were advised that Ms. Verschuren had a conflict of interest and appointed her anyway. I'm asking you about the other five candidates. You refuse to answer. I take it they didn't have conflicts of interest. You appointed someone with a conflict, because you don't give a damn about conflicts of interest.

Isn't that right?

[Navdeep Bains]

During my tenure, I made over 100 Governor in Council recommendations. It's important that all individuals who are recommended and ultimately appointed follow the Conflict of Interest Act.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

You knew she had a conflict of interest. You didn't give a damn—

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

That is the time, Mr. Cooper.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

—and, as a result, $400 million taxpayer dollars went out the door improperly following that conflict-ridden appointment.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Mr. Cooper, I will remind you—as I was reminded today in the House— that we use parliamentary language in this committee room.

Ms. Khalid, you have the floor for four minutes.

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

Thank you very much, Chair.

As much as I appreciate my opposition colleagues trying to get their clips for the Russian Rebel News, I have some serious questions to ask our witness here today.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

On a point of order, here we go again with—

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

It's the Russian Rebel News.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

—yet another Liberal who is trying to associate—

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

That's debate.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

—the Conservative Party of Canada with the Russian administration.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Mr. Brock.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

There were members in the House—

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Mr. Brock, whoa.

I heard what was said by the member, and it has nothing to do with the Conservative Party. This is not a point of order. Even if it were, I'm ruling in your side's favour.

I'm going to give the floor back to Ms. Khalid, unless you actually have a genuine, new point of order.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I have a point of order, Chair.

I would invite Mr. Brock to look at—

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

No, no.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

—FBI records.