Evidence of meeting #5 for Public Safety and National Security in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was risk.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Chairman, at the outset of his testimony, the witness himself alluded to his partisan affiliation. It contextualized the testimony, too.
Mr. Blackburn, in December, you mentioned that Mr. Pierre Poilievre was your political mentor. Is that correct?
Former Member at Parole Board of Canada, As an Individual
That's correct.
I'd like to clarify one thing. The majority of the events occurred in 2017. I was not a candidate for any political party at that time.
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
I've asked you a question, Mr. Blackburn, and I encourage you to answer it.
Is that right?
Former Member at Parole Board of Canada, As an Individual
Yes, I'll answer, but the question has to be...
Conservative
Conservative
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
I'm concerned about my colleague Mr. Lightbound's question. It's not relevant.
Mr. Blackburn has been a professional all his life and has worked as a board member. He was not involved in politics at that time. My colleague is playing petty politics that have nothing to do with our purposes here.
Conservative
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Chair, I demand that we stop asking political questions immediately, because if we don't, we'll do the same thing.
We have questions about the Liberal selection list that was put together by people in the Privy Council Office.
Liberal
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
I just caution members here. The subject matter that is referred to us is the tragic death of a young woman, and it ill behooves any of us to have partisan issues.
If Mr. Lightbound wants to ask a question that is a partisan question, he's entitled to, as is Mr. Paul-Hus, as is anyone else, but the terms of reference and the subject matter that bring us here have nothing, I would say, to do with partisan affiliations by anyone.
With that, I'm not going to restrict Mr. Lightbound from asking any question he wishes, but those are the comments of the chair.
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Chair, I couldn't agree with you more, and I'm sorry it's come to this.
Mr. Blackburn's testimony appeared to me to be tinged with partisanship. It's important to know where he came from, given that kind of testimony.
Mr. Blackburn, do you agree with me that favouritism is unacceptable at the parole board?
Former Member at Parole Board of Canada, As an Individual
I agree with you.
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
You mentioned it in your testimony. I'm not going to go back on that, rest assured.
However, six of the nine full-time board members were candidates, spouses of candidates, or chiefs of staff in the previous government. Across the country, 43 appointments were similar. This may suggest that there was some favouritism.
However, we agree on one thing: the important thing is that the selection of board members be based on merit. You referred to your past experience. What are your reservations about the experience of board members Lainé and Fortin? We're talking about a former provincial board member as well as a former parole officer and former board member.
Former Member at Parole Board of Canada, As an Individual
I have absolutely nothing against them. I don't even know them particularly well. They were appointed and then...
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
In your testimony, in response to a question from Mr. Paul-Hus, you referred to their past experience. You said that the past experience of the board members should be considered, and you referred to your own. What are your reservations with regard to the experience of the two members you directly involved, who made the decision?
Former Member at Parole Board of Canada, As an Individual
I have no reservations. When they were assessed during the appointment process, I imagine that they met certain criteria.
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
When you were a part-time member of the Parole Board, you made fewer decisions than those two members. However, you testified that the cases still needed to be handled properly.
In your opinion, did the Parole Board fail to make proper decisions in any other cases?
Former Member at Parole Board of Canada, As an Individual
I'll start by stating once again that quantity isn't the key factor. Quality is key. I brought this, which is a medal that I received for the quality of my decisions.
Former Member at Parole Board of Canada, As an Individual
I also have a letter from your former colleague, Ralph Goodale.
Liberal
Former Member at Parole Board of Canada, As an Individual
No, but it should be mentioned. It's not about the quantity, but about the quality of the decisions. For example, for a member, the number of cases under appeal can be an issue.
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
When you say that the cases must still be handled properly, do you have any examples of mishandled cases? Do you have any evidence of cases that you think were poorly handled and mismanaged?
