ETHI Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 81

Monday, May 27, 2013

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics met in a televised session at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Pierre-Luc Dusseault, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Scott Andrews, Charlie Angus, Alexandre Boulerice, Brad Butt, John Carmichael, Patricia Davidson, Earl Dreeshen, Pierre-Luc Dusseault and Colin Mayes.

Acting Members present: Claude Gravelle for Charlie Angus, Pierre Nantel for Charmaine Borg and Chris Warkentin for Dean Del Mastro.

Associate Members present: Brent Rathgeber.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Miguel Bernal-Castillero, Analyst ; Maxime-Olivier Thibodeau, Analyst.

Witnesses: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation: Maryse Bertrand, Vice-President, Real Estate, Legal Services and General Counsel; Shaun Poulter, Senior Director, Government Relations. Canadian Media Guild: Marc-Philippe Laurin, President, CBC Branch; Bob Carty, Member. Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec: Brian Myles, President, Journalist Le Devoir; Claude Robillard, Secretary General. National Citizens Coalition: Stephen Taylor, Director. Canadian Taxpayers Federation: Gregory Thomas, Federal Director.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Wednesday, March 27, 2013, and the motion adopted by the Committee on Monday, April 22, 2013, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-461, An Act to amend the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act (disclosure of information).

Maryse Bertrand, Marc-Philippe Laurin with Bob Carty and Brian Myles made statements and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

Scott Andrews moved, — That the Committee hold hearings on the conduct of public office holders in relation to the handling of the repayment of Senate expenses by Senator Mike Duffy and the conduct of officials in the Prime Minister`s Office in this process, and that the witness list include but not be limited to:

Nigel Wright
Benjamin Perrin
Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister
Ray Novak

And that, in the context of this study, the Committee table a report in the House asking that the House send a message to the Senate requesting the appearance before the Committee of the following Senators:

Senator Mike Duffy
Senator David Tkachuk
Senator Marjory LeBreton

Debate arose thereon.

At 4:29 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 115(5), the sitting was suspended.

At 5:13 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Scott Andrews.

The debate continued.

Chris Warkentin moved, — That the Committee proceed to sit in camera.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Brad Butt, John Carmichael, Patricia Davidson, Earl Dreeshen, Colin Mayes, Chris Warkentin — 6; NAYS: Scott Andrews, Alexandre Boulerice, Claude Gravelle, Pierre Nantel — 4.

At 5:18 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:19 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That the Committee re-invite Mr. Gregory Thomas and Mr. Stephen Taylor to appear with respect to Bill C-461 and that, notwithstanding the decision to limit the study to three meetings, the Committee add a fourth meeting to accommodate this invitation.

It was agreed, — That, notwithstanding any previous decision, the proposed amendments to Bill C-461 be submitted to the Clerk in both official languages no later than Thursday, May 30, 2013, at 12:00 p.m., and that the amendments package be distributed to members as soon as possible.

At 5:37 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Chad Mariage
Clerk of the Committee

2013/06/17 3:19 p.m.