Public Safety Committee on Nov. 28th, 2006

[Anne McLellan]

In an official capacity? When I left the—

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

Period. When was the last time you spoke to her?

[Anne McLellan]

Well—

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

Have you spoken with her since the O'Connor report was released?

[Anne McLellan]

I talked to her briefly, but not in relation to this matter, on something entirely different.

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

Okay. How are we timewise?

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

You've got about two minutes.

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

When you were first appointed you had a series of briefings, did you not, from your departmental officials, including Ms. Bloodworth? Is that right?

[Anne McLellan]

I had a series of briefings, yes. My deputy was not in all of the briefings, but she certainly would have attended a considerable number of them.

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

You also heard from Commissioner Zaccardelli, is that right?

[Anne McLellan]

Yes.

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

And the director of CSIS?

[Anne McLellan]

Yes.

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

So given the profile of this Arar case, and what we now know to have been a PCO briefing where there were some discrepancies on the subject, I presume that those briefings included both the case itself and the PCO briefings. Is that right?

[Anne McLellan]

I received no briefing in relation to a PCO briefing.

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

Okay.

[Anne McLellan]

Nor would I. There would be no reason why I would know anything about that.

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

Did you ever meet privately with the commissioner or director of CSIS?

[Anne McLellan]

Yes. I mean, privately—

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

Pertaining to the Arar case?

[Anne McLellan]

My chief of staff would be present, Margaret might be present, Rob Wright might be present, but yes.

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

Was Ms. Bloodworth always present?

[Anne McLellan]

No. I do not think she was always present.

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

Okay.

I'm having a little bit of trouble believing that as the minister responsible for what was, at that time, a hugely public security case, it wouldn't dawn on you to ask these questions of these people.

[Anne McLellan]

What questions?