Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. The irony of this is that you've mentioned over and over again the character and integrity of the individual who was chosen, Mr. David Johnston. The sadness and the irony of this is that, if you had submitted to a fair and transparent process in an effort t

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Was this because you didn't trust the media? Was it because you didn't think they were capable of doing something they've done for years?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yet it would seem that you're trying to control them through the use of this commission.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  But if it's a producer and ultimately a consortium, aren't you concerned that smaller media organizations are likely to be left out? There are so many smaller media organizations, platforms, and there is very much the possibility of them not being a part of this democratic proce

Procedure and House Affairs committee  By controlling the process? That's ridiculous. That's completely unreasonable that you would allow for freedom of the media in developing a commission under the ministry—

Procedure and House Affairs committee  —which decides the producer, which decides the members of the consortium to implement the debates commission. It's completely contrary to—

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Sure. With regard to litigation for the debates commission, if the debates commission is involved in litigation, will it be you instructing the lawyers or the debates commissioner himself?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Okay. Would they have the opportunity to seek outside counsel if they wished, or would they need to use lawyers who answer to the Attorney General?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I have to be very sincere and say that certainly some of my colleagues even here contributed to this study. As well, some of my Conservative caucus members who have been members of the Conservative caucus for many years and even ran for the leadership are in support of the consid

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We'll distribute them, Chair, and pardon me for not doing that previously. My apologies; that was my fault.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Would you like me to respond? Perhaps I don't understand exactly what you.... I would say that, if you are making reference to the.... I guess the only word I can think of is the “spite” of an individual member to withhold something. Obviously this would require assurance from a

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, I agree.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Chair. Mr. Christopherson, to your point, I'd like to apologize to Mr. Bittle. With regard to the spirit that my response to Mr. Graham was in, I would have felt it to be more insincere for me just to say yes. My intention was greater sincerity, if you will, in qualif

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I don't think we actually voted, the three Conservatives here. I think we were sort of.... In addition to the questions Ms. Moore had on the extension for those with partners having children, I think we wanted to look at more information relative to that, so that perhaps we could