Evidence of meeting #31 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 information.
A video is available from Parliament.
1:40 p.m.
A/Commr Lee Bergerman
I wasn't.
1:40 p.m.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Was this the first time that you were hearing of this forthcoming firearm policy?
1:40 p.m.
A/Commr Lee Bergerman
From the commissioner, yes.
1:40 p.m.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
I'll go back to Ms. Scanlan. She had said that Minister Blair and the Prime Minister were weighing in on what could and couldn't be said.
Based on what you heard from Commissioner Lucki, does it seem to be accurate that the Prime Minister's Office and Bill Blair were, in essence, trying to pressure Commissioner Lucki on what would be released?
1:40 p.m.
A/Commr Lee Bergerman
Based on what I heard on this particular teleconference.
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Thank you.
Ms. Tessier, you were in the room as well. Is that correct?
1:45 p.m.
Former Director General, National Communication Services, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, As an Individual
Yes, I was.
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Do you have the same recollection as Ms. Bergerman, Mr. Leather, Mr. Campbell and Ms. Scanlan?
1:45 p.m.
Former Director General, National Communication Services, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, As an Individual
I do not. I remember her being irritated that she had told the minister that we would be releasing guns, but I do not remember talk of pressure or any of the like.
I didn't take notes, which is not helpful.
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Ms. Tessier, you work with the national headquarters of RCMP and not the Nova Scotia RCMP. Is that correct?
1:45 p.m.
Former Director General, National Communication Services, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, As an Individual
Yes.
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Mr. Leather, you work with the RCMP in Nova Scotia. Is that correct?
1:45 p.m.
C/Supt Chris Leather
Yes, I do.
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Ms. Bergerman does as well, as did Darren Campbell and Lia Scanlan at the time.
The four individuals from the RCMP in Nova Scotia have a different recollection from Ms. Tessier and Commissioner Lucki. I find that very interesting.
With my remaining seconds, did you have anything to add?
1:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Jim Carr
Now we'll move to Mr. Noormohamed.
Sir, you have six minutes in this round. Whenever you are ready, the floor is yours.
1:45 p.m.
Liberal
Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to the witnesses for making the time to be with us.
Assistant Commissioner Bergerman, in your dealings through this matter, did you ever hear directly from the minister or the minister's office in respect of what they were asking the RCMP to do or not do?
1:45 p.m.
A/Commr Lee Bergerman
No, I was not.
1:45 p.m.
Liberal
Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC
You were not aware of any instance, which you directly heard yourself, where the minister or the minister's staff were instructing anyone to do anything. Is that correct?
1:45 p.m.
A/Commr Lee Bergerman
I never heard anything directly.
1:45 p.m.
Liberal
Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC
You never heard the minister in any way, shape or form try to pressure anyone.
1:45 p.m.
A/Commr Lee Bergerman
No.
1:45 p.m.
Liberal
Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC
You were hearing second-hand information, which you are now conveying. Is that correct?
1:45 p.m.
A/Commr Lee Bergerman
From the commissioner, yes.