Evidence of meeting #123 for Public Safety and National Security in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was russian.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
I'd like to have the text of the motion, Mr. Chair. My colleague read it quickly, and even the interpreter couldn't follow it because the member spoke so fast. I'd like to have the time to read the motion.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
We are resuming.
The request is for unanimous consent for this motion. There's no debate on unanimous consent. If there is unanimous consent, the motion passes. If there's no unanimous consent, since we have notice, it can be moved at a later date.
Do we have unanimous consent at this time?
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Mr. Chair, I unfortunately can't agree to this motion because I'm replacing my colleague Ms. Michaud on this committee. It's a long motion that seems to me well founded, but I need to conduct some checks before giving my consent, and I also have to consult our research team. Consequently, I would ask you to table the motion until the next committee meeting. I don't think there's any urgent need to adopt it today. Committee members may make a decision at the next meeting.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Thank you, Mr. Fortin.
There is no unanimous consent.
The motion can be moved at the next meeting.
We go now to Ms. Damoff.
You have three minutes.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you to both witnesses for being here and for the important information.
I understand that Lauren Chen has declined our invitation to attend. I would like to bring forward a motion, which I hope we can deal with quickly:
That the committee summon Lauren Chen to appear for no less than two hours in relation to the study of Russian-backed interference and far-right disinformation campaigns intended to manipulate the Canadian public, and that she appear before November 8, 2024.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
First, the clerk has advised me that we do need a date and time specified.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
Can I ask a question on that? If we summon someone for a date and they have a legitimate reason that they're unable to attend on that date—they're getting surgery or they're in another country—does that mean that we would have to issue another summons? That's why I didn't put a specific date on there, because people can have legitimate reasons. I thought that when we did this at another committee that I'm on, we did it by a certain date.
The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Simon Larouche
We can do it this way if you want to, but for the bailiff usually I need a specific date and, according to our procedure, usually we need a specific time, but we could adjust. I will have to come back to you on your question, but we can go this way and see how it goes. Usually, for the bailiff, I have to specify a specific date. I can manage through your motion to be more specific.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
I think this gives you the flexibility. If you provide the date of October 22, for example, and the individual comes back and says, for very legitimate reasons, that they are unable to—not that they don't want to—come that day, then it gives you flexibility to say, “Well, could you come on October 29?”
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
I'm sorry. It's to summon this person by a certain date and time, and the clerk will fill in the blanks. We will sort that out.
Do you need a written copy at this point? Okay.
October 10th, 2024 / 5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Conservative
Glen Motz Conservative Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB
It's “by November 8”, so we have four meetings for her to say, “No, I'm not coming.” She has to have legitimate reasons four times.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
To issue a summons, basically, in the summons we have to specify a date and time. Failure to comply ultimately is a contempt of Parliament.
Are we ready to vote on this?
(Motion agreed to)
I think that's pretty unanimous. Thank you.
It's 5:30. I know that a lot of people are getting out of here.
We have Monsieur Fortin and Mr. MacGregor for two minutes each.
Mr. MacGregor, you are signalling to me that you don't wish to speak.
Mr. Fortin, you have the floor for two minutes.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
In that case, we are adjourned.
Thank you, everyone.
We are adjourned.
