Public Safety Committee on Nov. 26th, 2014

Evidence of meeting #41 for Public Safety and National Security in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was csis.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Bill C-44, An Act to amend the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act and other Acts

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Craig Forcese Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, As an Individual

Wesley Wark Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa, As an Individual

Tom Stamatakis President, Canadian Police Association

Kent Roach Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, As an Individual

Garth Davies Associate Professor, Simon Fraser University, As an Individual

Christian Leuprecht Associate Dean and Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Royal Military College of Canada, As an Individual

Clerk of the Committee Mr. Leif-Erik Aune

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Daryl Kramp

I will read from the paragraph that applies to this, because it is open ball. It says:

There are no specific rules governing the nature of questions which may be put to witnesses appearing before committees, beyond the general requirement of relevance to the issue before the committee

Now, there is an issue of relevance, in that when the letter was directed to the committee, it was relevant to Bill C-44. It is relevant, so at this particular point, it would then be admissible and accepted, according to the paragraph that is in here.

So yes, it is in order.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

Diane Ablonczy Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Daryl Kramp

Carry on, please.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE

Professor Roach, Professor Davies, are you okay with the question? Do you need me to repeat it? Are you ready to respond?

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Daryl Kramp

I'm sorry, sir, but we are running out of time now. We have about 30 seconds left.

5:30 p.m.

Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, As an Individual

Prof. Kent Roach

Just quickly, it goes back to the need for parliamentary oversight and parliamentary access to secret information. Certainly, the resolution of the Afghan detainee case shows that there are some problems there.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Daryl Kramp

Fine. Thank you very much.

The time is now over.

I have one little budget issue that I would like the committee to deal with; however, I would excuse the witnesses and thank them very kindly on behalf of all of the committee and its members.

Colleagues, I have a budget request that you have had sent to you.

[Disturbance in the audience]

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

Rick Norlock Conservative Northumberland—Quinte West, ON

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, this is an interference in a parliamentary process.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Daryl Kramp

Excuse me. Could we have this gentleman removed, please? I would like you to call security, please.

Colleagues, I have a budget request for witness testimony. Is it approved?

5:30 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Daryl Kramp

Thank you. The meeting is adjourned.