Evidence of meeting #39 for Public Safety and National Security in the 39th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was pco.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Ujjal Dosanjh Liberal Vancouver South, BC
I understand that. But if irreparable damage wasn't going to occur, why did you not confirm with us when we were asking you those questions?
A/Commr Raf Souccar
Our policy is put in place for a reason. We can guess whether or not damage would be caused, or prejudice may be caused, as a result of sharing something of this nature in a forum such as this. I made the decision that it was inappropriate and I was not willing, on my own volition, to risk potentially compromising.... What PCO did was their decision. Again, it's something they decided, not something I would have decided.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
With those words, we will have to conclude this meeting. I thank you very, very much.
Ms. Priddy, actually you are not sworn in to the committee.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
You can't both be on at the same time. I'm sorry. I like to be fair, but at this point...maybe you can raise it later on.
Bloc
Serge Ménard Bloc Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC
Mr. Chairman, you indicated that we would continue until 5:05 p.m. It's now 4:58 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
It's five to five. We started at five to four. This was a one-hour meeting--it's actually more than one hour--so we will have to conclude. I'm sorry, that's the agreement we made at the beginning.
Thank you very much to the witnesses.
We are going in camera. This meeting is not adjourned. We're suspending for a brief moment.
[Proceedings continue in camera]
[Public proceedings resume]
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
We're in public now, and I just want to raise an issue.
In fairness to our clerk, I felt that he accurately conveyed the message to the Privy Council Office that what this committee had decided was to ask the Privy Council to send whoever they felt would best be able to answer their questions. The members of the committee said yes. In fact, the member who raised the issue yesterday said that was fine. So I just want to clarify the record to ensure we don't hold the clerk responsible for something on which I think he did a good job.
Are there any issues with that?
Mr. MacKenzie.
Conservative
Dave MacKenzie Conservative Oxford, ON
I just want it clear, Mr. Chair, that the clerk was perhaps criticized inappropriately yesterday.
As a committee member, I was satisfied that the witnesses who were here were what we had agreed upon. I'm satisfied that it's on the public record that the clerk in fact had followed the directions of the committee.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
Yes, and it was an in camera session, by the way. I stated that right away. Some people said it wasn't, but it was. The decisions we make as to future business of the committee are always in camera.
Mr. Dosanjh.
Liberal
Ujjal Dosanjh Liberal Vancouver South, BC
Let me just add that no offence was meant to Mr. Clerk. I regret saying that. But let me also explain publicly that my understanding was that I had passed on Ms. Bloodworth's name to the clerk, in addition to Kevin Lynch. I didn't at any time think it was going to be either/or. That two-second bit about that being fine and what you said totally escaped my memory.
If he is literally correct, my apologies, but we would like to see Kevin Lynch back here.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
That will be on a future list of witnesses.
And I have tried to accurately portray what this committee decides as well.
We'll briefly suspend and go back in camera.
[Proceedings continue in camera]
