Public Accounts committee  One way of putting it is that subsequent committees are at liberty to take corrective action.

Public Accounts committee  I think I understand the crux of your question. Testimony to a Committee could indeed undermine a witness involved in a court case. In principle, testimony before a Committee is not available to be used in court proceedings. By the same token, witness’ counsel would be concerne

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chair, the issue of precedent primarily arises in terms of House business in relation to rulings by the Speaker. It is always an argument that something happened a certain way once upon a time and that should be taken as a precedent, but that's a matter of debate. To my kno

Public Accounts committee  That statement was with reference to the option of seeking a finding of contempt of Parliament in particular. Now, the committee could well report to the House and propose that other actions relative to a breach of privilege be taken, short of contempt of Parliament, or that the

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chairman, I'm quite prepared and pleased to respond to committee members' questions in public. It's just that in the nature of my role as legal adviser, it's not usually the case that a client takes legal advice in public. It understandably will put constraints on what I migh

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a presentation that was prepared before I was aware you had these exchanges with the lawyer. But I'll proceed with the presentation anyway; it doesn't make a material difference. I have been asked to outline the options for further action where a

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The only thing I wanted to add, Mr. Chairman, is regarding Ms. Block. She consulted our office with regard to this employee, got advice on how to terminate the employment, and acted accordingly. Rather than do it by letter to her, I got her authorization to state here to the comm

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I think it would, but the Act is not completely clear as to the methods available to the Commissioner of Lobbying. In any event, she conducts an investigation, and then submits a report to the House of Commons. If the House thinks that the report was not sufficient, it can ask th

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, into lobbyists.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  With respect to this case, it is possible that the Commissioner would be facing a roadblock. The question of privilege might be one. That is a legal question. However, I imagine that the member is going to cooperate with the Commissioner and disclose everything necessary to help

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That's right. With respect to the lobbyists, that is another matter. There may be a problem in that regard.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  You're right. There might be another level there.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It represents another level for the lobbyist or the person who received the document. It tells them that there are legal or quasi-legal provisions associated with the document.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It is a warning for the lobbyist. They know then that there are restrictions associated with the document, that they must take those rules into account, and that it is risky for them to send it to just anyone, for example.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, have we finished covering this question?