Standing Committee on Public Accounts

HOUSE OF COMMONS CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES OTTAWA, CANADA K1A 0A6

Comité permanent des comptes publics

For immediate release

Ottawa, April 09, 2008 -

On February 12, 2008, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts presented a unanimous report to the House of Commons recommending that Deputy Commissioner Barbara George of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police be found in contempt of Parliament. The Committee was of the undivided opinion that Ms. George had misled the Committee in her appearance on February 21, 2007.

Since then, several media articles have claimed that Ms. George was not treated fairly and the Committee did not follow proper procedures.

The Committee stands by its report and the procedures it followed. The Committee sought out and received appropriate legal and procedural advice and research analysis.

The media articles contain numerous inaccuracies that could have been resolved by a careful reading of the report. Ms. George had ample opportunity to present her case, and before proceeding on this issue, the Committee, in a carefully worded letter, presented to Ms. George the discrepancies in her testimony and allowed her one final opportunity to respond.

Parliamentary committees are not courts of law and follow different procedures. It is, however, important that the principles of fairness and due process be followed. It is also vital that committees ensure that the testimony they receive is truthful, accurate and complete.

With respect to the testimony of Ms. George, the Committee carefully and impartially considered the evidence before it and recommended that the House of Commons find her in contempt. The Committee continues to stand by this recommendation. The matter is now before the House of Commons as to the final decision on the matter.