ETHI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics met at 11:08 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Paul Szabo, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the Committee undertake a study on Proactive Disclosure.

Wayne Easter moved, — That the committee conduct a study regarding allegations of systematic political interference by Minister`s offices to block, delay or obstruct the release of information to the public regarding the operations of government departments and that the committee call before it:

Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development

At a separate meeting or meetings:

Dimitri Soudas, Associate Director, Communications/Press Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office;

Guy Giorno, Chief of Staff, Prime Minister’s Office;

Ryan Sparrow, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada;

Sebastien Togneri, former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Public Works Canada;

Patricia Valladao, Chief, Media Relations, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada; and

That the committee submit a report to the House of Commons on its findings.

Pierre Poilievre moved, — That the motion be amended by adding at the beginning of the motion the following: “After the Information Commissioner of Canada complete her study on the matter,”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: Kelly Block, Paul Calandra, Patricia Davidson, Pierre Poilievre, Greg Rickford — 5; NAYS: Gerry Byrne, Wayne Easter, Carole Freeman, Luc Malo, Bill Siksay — 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the negative.

Accordingly, the amendment was negatived.

Pierre Poilievre moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “At a separate meeting or meetings: Dimitri Soudas, Associate Director, Communications/Press Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office; Guy Giorno, Chief of Staff, Prime Minister’s Office; Ryan Sparrow, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada; Sebastien Togneri, former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Public Works Canada Ms. Patricia Valladao, Chief, Media Relations, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, ” with the words “and the Minister of Public Works Canada, Honourable Rona Ambrose ”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: Kelly Block, Paul Calandra, Patricia Davidson, Pierre Poilievre, Greg Rickford — 5; NAYS: Gerry Byrne, Wayne Easter, Carole Freeman, Luc Malo, Bill Siksay — 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the negative.

Accordingly, the amendment was negatived.

Pierre Poilievre moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “At a separate meeting or meetings: Dimitri Soudas, Associate Director, Communications/Press Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office ” and the words “Ryan Sparrow, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada; Sebastien Togneri, former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Public Works Canada; Patricia Valladao, Chief, Media Relations, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada,” and by adding the after the words “Skills Development”, the words “Minister of Public Works Canada, Honourable Rona Ambrose;”.

The question was put on the amendment and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: Kelly Block, Paul Calandra, Patricia Davidson, Pierre Poilievre, Greg Rickford — 5; NAYS: Gerry Byrne, Wayne Easter, Carole Freeman, Luc Malo, Bill Siksay — 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the negative.

Accordingly, the amendment was negatived.

The question was put on the motion and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: Gerry Byrne, Wayne Easter, Carole Freeman, Luc Malo, Bill Siksay — 5; NAYS: Kelly Block, Paul Calandra, Patricia Davidson, Pierre Poilievre, Greg Rickford — 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

At 12:55 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.