Yes.
Evidence of meeting #79 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 complaint.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #79 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 complaint.
A recording is available from Parliament.
1:50 p.m.
Senior Director, Strategic Operations and Policy Directorate, Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Yes.
1:50 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Okay. It could be the case, then, in advance of or after an investigation is done at the other body....
I would be curious to know Mr. Julian's response to this, because it seems the presentation of this was framed as providing a greater degree of flexibility. It seems to provide, in that particular sense, less flexibility.
Regarding the reference to “seriously compromise”, is that sort of descriptor defined somewhere in the legislation or in the Criminal Code, or is it subject to interpretation? What constitutes a serious compromise or a compromise that's not so serious?
1:50 p.m.
General Counsel, Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
No. It's not defined in the bill.
1:50 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Would it be defined elsewhere in the Criminal Code? Would there be a standing basis on which that would be interpreted, or is that left to some...?
Based on your expertise, how would you understand that to be interpreted in practice?
1:50 p.m.
General Counsel, Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Yes. It's left open for interpretation. In this case, it would be the commission that would determine, possibly based on previous case law...as a determination based on the civil law.
1:50 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
The combination of “may” and a serious compromise imagines a situation in which the commissioner could view the proceeding of a complaint before the commission as seriously compromising an ongoing investigation elsewhere yet still have the flexibility to choose to deal with that complaint.
Is that right, that the flexibility in “may” implies that...? Actually, I think this is designed to ensure that a much greater volume of complaints must be considered and, in some cases, can be considered. I think I'm answering my own question, but is that correct?
1:50 p.m.
Senior Director, Strategic Operations and Policy Directorate, Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
I can't speak to the intent, but it may be the result, yes.
1:50 p.m.
Conservative
1:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Given that it's eight minutes to the hour, and members have to get to question period, I'm wondering if it's the will of the committee to adjourn at this time.
1:50 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Lake Conservative Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, AB
No, Mr. Chair, because I have something I want to say.
1:50 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Okay. I'll cede the floor, but add me to the list so that I can follow up, because I want to let Mr. Lake have a chance.
1:50 p.m.
Liberal
Jennifer O'Connell Liberal Pickering—Uxbridge, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I find what's taking place very disappointing, with over an hour of extra work that the Conservatives had to put in. As parliamentarians, we're all expected to stay up to date on legislation. If there is an inability to do so.... When a person comes to a committee, if they don't come prepared, they don't get to hold up the work of everybody else. I think—
1:50 p.m.
Liberal
Jennifer O'Connell Liberal Pickering—Uxbridge, ON
—that, since there was reference to children, we wouldn't expect children to behave and to come to—
1:50 p.m.
Liberal
1:50 p.m.
Conservative
1:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Thank you.
I would urge Ms. O'Connell to stay relevant to what we're doing here.
1:50 p.m.
Liberal
Jennifer O'Connell Liberal Pickering—Uxbridge, ON
That's perfect. I will. Thank you.
I'm talking about coming prepared to deal with these motions, since there were lots of questions about what page number we're on, and things like that. We would even encourage children to come prepared to do their work, and if they don't, it doesn't become everybody else's problem because they chose not to do their work.
When it comes to NDP-34 versus BQ-13, we support the intention behind this, but we just happen to prefer BQ-13. However, we're working collaboratively.
On that note, Mr. Chair, I'm going to move a motion to adjourn.
1:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
There's a motion to adjourn on the floor.
(Motion agreed to)
It's done.
