Mr. Speaker, I do have a concern when he says that the documents will be handed over when they are vetted for reasons of national security. Is he not aware that section 38 of the Evidence Act makes it very clear that the Attorney General and/or the defence minister will go through documents if submitted by a person like Mr. Colvin for redaction, which, apparently, is what happened?
Is he also not equally clear that the Canada Evidence Act does not apply to hearings of committees of Parliament, that Parliament is supreme to the laws that it enacts, unless it mentions itself in those acts, which is the case here? The Canada Evidence Act, which good lawyers, like the member for Fundy Royal, use every day, is a law that is under the supremacy of Parliament.
Is he not aware that all productions to a parliamentary committee should not have any redaction whatsoever and, therefore, they are ready to be provided immediately?
I am not sure if he can tell the House, as he has a semi-cabinet responsibility, why there is such a delay in getting the documents.