Evidence of meeting #128 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 comment.
A video is available from Parliament.
NDP
Alistair MacGregor NDP Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
In light of the fact that Ms. Chen has been uncooperative and refuses to answer questions of this standing committee of the House of Commons, I move the following motion:
That the committee instruct the clerk and analysts to prepare a report to the House, which the Chair shall table forthwith, outlining the potential breach of privilege concerning Lauren Chen’s refusal to answer questions of the committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Is there any debate? I see none.
(Motion agreed to)
That is carried unanimously.
I believe Ms. Damoff has a motion.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
Thank you, Chair.
I had previously given a notice of motion on this study:
That the committee summon Liam Donovan and Lauren Southern to testify on their own for no less than two hours on their participation in Russian-backed interference and far-right disinformation campaigns intended to manipulate the Canadian public, and that they appear before Friday, November 29, 2024.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Thank you.
Is there any discussion on this motion?
Go ahead, Ms. Dancho.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Just as a comment, I think we can anticipate that there may be more of the same behaviour from anyone else coming forward, named by Ms. Damoff, so I would ask that in the event that happens, perhaps we should have something that we can work on in addition. If this committee is going to do this, if we wrap this up now.... I don't know if we're going to, but again, this is the public safety and national security committee of Canada. We've wasted now quite a while with someone who refuses to answer our questions. We have a number of studies that are on the verge of being complete.
I would just ask, Mr. Chair, that if we anticipate that more of this may occur, we have a plan B so that we can get to work and we're not wasting time.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Very well. Thank you.
Is there any other discussion on Ms. Damoff's motion?
(Motion agreed to)
That is carried unanimously. Thank you very much.
Ms. O'Connell.
Liberal
Jennifer O'Connell Liberal Pickering—Uxbridge, ON
Thank you.
I would like to move a motion:
That the committee summon Mayor Patrick Brown to testify alone for no less than two hours on the study of Indian interference and that he appears before Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
I'm unclear on this. Was this motion provided with adequate notice?
It's not germane to the Russia topic. It's the India one. Is that correct, or am I misunderstanding that?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
We do have an ongoing discussion.
Is it the will of the committee to entertain the motion at this time?
November 5th, 2024 / 11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Conservative
Dane Lloyd Conservative Sturgeon River—Parkland, AB
I believe it would require unanimous consent to move a motion that is...unless you declare that it's in order, Mr. Chair. This motion is not related to the study that we're studying today. I think it would require unanimous consent to do that, because that's the proper way that this committee functions.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
The clerk advises me that you're correct. We do need unanimous consent for this.
Liberal
Jennifer O'Connell Liberal Pickering—Uxbridge, ON
I'm going to request unanimous consent and a recorded vote.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
We don't have unanimous consent, so I'll take that as notice of the motion.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Yes, I have a follow-up. Am I to take it that Mr. Brown has refused to attend, and that's why he's to be summoned? It's not clear. We weren't informed of that.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
He refused to attend the given meetings. I'm not sure whether there might be others. This way, once that motion is moved and if it passes, there will be another summons.
Is there any further business before us?
Ms. Dancho.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
I'm not sure if we're done with Ms. Chen, but we can probably release her and discuss a few other matters. It's up to you. I would like to ask about the calendar and forthcoming meetings, the scheduling of that.
Liberal