PRHA Committee Meeting
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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting No. 19
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1998
The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs met at 11:07 a.m., this day, in Room 112-N (Centre Block), Peter Adams (Chair) presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Peter Adams, Stéphane Bergeron, Marlene Catterall, Yvon Charbonneau, Mac Harb, André Harvey, Bob Kilger, John Richardson, Chuck Strahl and Randy White.
Acting Members present: John Harvard for George Baker; Jay Hill for Ken Epp; Michel Bellehumeur and Michel Gauthier for Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral; Joe Fontana for Rey Pagtakhan; Paul Szabo for Carolyn Parrish and William Blaikie for John Solomon.
Other Members present: Julian Reed and Bob Speller.
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: James Robertson, Research Officer.
Witnesses: From the House of Commons: Benoît Serré, M.P. (Timiskaming-Cochrane); Dan McTeague, M.P. (Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge); Peter Goldring (Edmonton East) and Ken Epp, M.P. (Elk Island).
Order of Reference from the House of Commons – integrity of the House of Commons and the Speaker
The Committee resumed consideration of its order of reference from the House of Commons dated Tuesday, March 10, 1998, concerning certain statements attributed to Members of the House of Commons, appearing on page 7 of the March 8, 1998, Ottawa Sun, which may bring into question the integrity of the House of Commons and its servant the Speaker. (See Minutes of Proceedings and the Evidence for Thursday, March 19, 1998, meeting no. 18)
The Chair read the following two letters:
1) Letter addressed to Messrs. Cliff Breitkreuz, M.P., Ken Epp, M.P., Peter Goldring, M.P., Dan McTeague, M.P. and Benoît Serré, M.P., which reads as follows:
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On Tuesday, March 10, 1998, the House of Commons referred the following order of reference to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs: That certain statements attributed to Members of the House of Commons, appearing on page 7 of the March 8, 1998, Ottawa Sun, which may bring into question the integrity of the House of Commons and its servant the Speaker, be referred immediately to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. Since certain statements were attributed to you in the said Ottawa Sun article, you are invited to appear before the Committee on Thursday, March 26, 1998, at 11:00 a.m. in Room 112-N (Centre Block). Please note that Messrs. [ names listed] have also been asked to appear at this meeting. The Committee will allow up to 5 minutes for an opening statement followed by questions and answers. The Members invited to appear will do so one after the other. Should the time allocated for the meeting not be sufficient to hear from all five Members, the Committee will resume on Tuesday, March 31, 1998, at 11:00 a.m. Please confirm your appearance with the Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Marie Carrière at 947-0007. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. (S) Peter Adams, M.P. Chair |
2) Letter from Cliff Breitkreuz, M.P., dated March 25, 1998 addressed to the Chair, which reads as follows:
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Dear Mr. Adams: Subject – The spurious federal Tory motion to refer to Committee I received your "invitation" to attend the meeting today. Because of riding commitments, it will be impossible to be present. In addition, I cannot justify the expenditure of taxpayers’ dollars (approximately $2,000) without knowing why I should appear at the meeting. This is my quote in the Sun paper: "It would be a pretty serious thing if he joined with the Bloc on this." I ask the Committee members the following question: "How can the above statement be construed as contemptuous?" (S) Cliff Breitkreuz, M.P. Yellowhead |
By unanimous consent, it was agreed, - That consideration of Mr. Breitkreuz’s letter be postponed to the end of the present meeting.
At 11:20 a.m., Benoît Serré, M.P., made an opening statement and answered questions.
At 11:49 a.m., Dan McTeague, M.P., made an opening statement and answered questions.
At 12:17 p.m., Peter Goldring, M.P., made an opening statement and answered questions.
After debate, Joe Fontana, moved, - That the period allotted to each witness not exceed 20 minutes.
And debate arising thereon;
Randy White moved, - That the debate be now adjourned.
And the question being put on the motion, it was, by a show of hands, agreed to: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 2.
Randy White, moved, - That the Chair’s decision to allow 20 minutes per witness be sustained.
And the question being put on the motion, it was, by a show of hands, agreed to: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 3.
Questioning of the witness resumed.
At 12:47 p.m., Ken Epp, M.P., made an opening statement and answered questions.
In accordance with the Order made earlier this day, the Committee resumed consideration of the letter of Cliff Breitkreuz, M.P., dated March 25, 1998.
At 12:48 p.m., the Committee adjourned until Tuesday, March 31, 1998.
Marie Carrière
Clerk of the Committee
Striking Committee
Monday, March 23, 1998
In accordance with the mandate of the Committee concerning its responsibilities as the Striking Committee and in accordance with an Order adopted on Monday, September 29, 1997, the Twenty-Fourth Report is deemed to have been adopted and the Chair is ordered to present it to the House.
Marie Carrière
Clerk of the Committee