ETHI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics met at 3:37 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Paul Szabo, presiding.

Carole Freeman moved, — That the Committee resume the study it began during the Second Session of the Thirty-Ninth Parliament regarding the Conservative Party’s election campaign expenses during the 2005-2006 election campaign; that it deem the hearings held during that Parliament to have been held during the Second Session of the Fortieth Parliament; that the Committee issue notices to appear to all witnesses who did not appear during the study; and that it report its conclusions and recommendations to the House of Commons.

Russ Hiebert moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the words “in the event of an advance ruling from the Speaker confirming that the study is within the mandate of the committee” after the words “election campaign”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the negative.

Accordingly, the amendment was negatived.

Bob Dechert moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “Conservative Party's election campaign expenses” with the words “activities of public office holders”.

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment out of order.

The question was put on the motion and the results of the vote was announced: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

At 4:50 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:02 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

At 5:54 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.