Evidence of meeting #42 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was preuss.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
I may have used the wrong choice of words. I apologize for those words.
NDP
Liberal
Paul Zed Liberal Saint John, NB
Look, I'm a country lawyer. I'm not a city slicker like Mr. Tilson--
Liberal
Paul Zed Liberal Saint John, NB
No, no. He's a city lawyer.
Let me ask a specific question, then, on this affidavit.
Are you surprised that this matter is now before this committee and that it's receiving this kind of media attention? You described it as a fairly innocent unsolicited phone call, but on a regular basis you have this intervention with this group. Are you surprised that you're here today, having this kind of conversation--a dialogue, an exchange at a high level--as the object of the interest of many members of Parliament?
Director General, Civil Aviation, Department of Transport
I am totally surprised, Mr. Zed, especially since I'm on record with my disciplinary policy and my attempt at transparency in civil aviation. I am totally surprised.
Liberal
Paul Zed Liberal Saint John, NB
Could you provide for the committee a list of other people who received phone calls similar to your call to Ms. Marquis?
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
I'm sorry, I have to say something.
I thought this was dealing with one issue, the allegation of a phone call that was made on February 21 or whatever the date was--that's all. If we're going to go on a hunt to talk about the alleged conduct of this man somewhere else, he may want to have someone here with him, for all I know. He's here all by himself.
He wasn't put on notice that he was going to be quizzed on all these things, whether by Mr. Julian or Mr. Zed; his idea was that he was going to be quizzed on this affidavit, and that's all.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
I'm just telling you that's the issue before this committee today. It may well be that this may blow up into something. I hope I'm not around, but if it is going to blow up, that'll be for another day, not today.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
While it's not a point of order, I do agree with the point you make. The questions have to be relevant to the comments made as of the meeting on February 21, and I would ask--
Liberal
Paul Zed Liberal Saint John, NB
Then let me go back to those comments.
Those comments were made in the context of Mr. Preuss's conducting some inquiries throughout his duties to various persons as they related to Bill C-6. Is that fair?
Director General, Civil Aviation, Department of Transport
I don't believe so, Mr. Chair. The allegations were associated with a phone call I made to the office of the bargaining agent for the pilot inspectors based on the fact that I understood the context was meeting 35, at which direct reference was made to inspectors appearing here. The context was clear in my mind; it was pilot inspectors.
There were two ways, in my mind, that I would find out that employees were going to be appearing here. One is by your direct invitation to them, or on the happenstance--and I have no idea whether that was the intention, or even a possibility--that they would appear beside Mr. Holbrook as part of his contingent before this committee.
That is all I was inquiring about.
Bloc
Mario Laframboise Bloc Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC
Mr. Chairman, it's somewhat more complex than that.
First of all, Mr. Preuss, you're not denying that you spoke with Ms. Marquis over the phone. In her sworn affidavit, she said as much. You're not denying that.
Director General, Civil Aviation, Department of Transport
I cannot confirm that those are the words I used, because frankly I don't remember. It was some time between the 14th and the 21st of February. I thought no more about it until Mr. Holbrook appeared before this committee on the 21st. I had no idea what words were being bandied about. In fact, if I recall the record and can refer to my notes here, I believe that is not what Mr. Holbrook read into the record.
If you allow me a minute I can probably find that particular reference. Here it is, if you would allow me, Mr. Chair.
Director General, Civil Aviation, Department of Transport
It reads: “...Transport Canada official called my office after learning that the CFPA was to testify and stated, 'It will be a problem' if any TC inspectors appear before your committee to talk about safety concerns.”
Mr. Chairman, I do not see that type of phraseology in the affidavit, so it's just about impossible for me to comment on words I may not have said.
Bloc
Mario Laframboise Bloc Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC
You placed a call and Ms. Marquis answered the phone. You spoke to her. You don't recall the exact conversation, but you did speak to her. Is that right?
