Public Safety Committee on June 2nd, 2008

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I support the motion at the table, but I do have to preface my support with one or two comments.

My preference would be that this was dealt with by the RCMP. I know it has been referred to the RCMP, but I also know there hasn't been a response. I know there is not a great eagerness, probably, on the part of the RCMP to accept these kinds of referrals, so I don't know what the answer to that will be. Therefore, not having any assurance that the RCMP, which I think is a much more appropriate body to be doing that, will do it, I will be supporting this.

The second point I want to make around this is that it is extremely important that Canadians, all Canadians, can trust that the security of their country is being dealt with, with dignity, respect, and thoughtfulness. I do not want to see this turn into—particularly with Ms. Couillard included in the list—some kind of circus where we find ourselves diverging off into what is in her wardrobe and what she wore where. I don't think this is about satisfying a prurient interest on the part of the public that seems to be fairly well established at this time out there.

So when the discussion is at the table, I, and I'm sure others, will be making every effort to ensure that it stays focused and that it does not turn into a circus, because that does not in any way establish in the minds of Canadians that we can look at these issues and do this in a serious, thoughtful way that respects the democratic process and respects the security of Canada.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

Mr. Dosanjh.

[Ujjal Dosanjh, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Mr. Chair, thank you.

First, I wholeheartedly support this motion.

Let me explain what the preference of the Liberal Party of Canada would be, what the best option would be.

The best option would be, number one, for the RCMP to investigate this matter. But understanding that the RCMP only engages in a narrow investigation to determine whether or not there has been criminal activity, that in itself would not be exhaustive enough to deal with all the issues that have been raised. Therefore, a full public inquiry is appropriate.

We know that, so far, the Prime Minister has refused to call that full public inquiry. Therefore, in the interim, we support this motion. We know and we recognize that these committees, by their very nature, don't have all the tools and the structures necessary to fully pursue all the issues in an exhaustive fashion. Therefore, with the reservation in mind, with the fact that the Prime Minister has not called a full public inquiry and may never do so, this committee will do the work that it can do in the interim.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

Is there any more discussion? Mr. MacKenzie.

[Dave MacKenzie, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

Well, the Prime Minister is taking this matter very seriously and has asked Foreign Affairs to review the situation. That's what needs to be done and that's where it should be.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

If there are no more comments, I'll call the question.

(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

This part of the meeting is over. We will now clear the room and go in camera.

[Proceedings continue in camera]