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Minutes of Proceedings

44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 76
Thursday, May 25, 2023, 2:06 p.m. to 5:46 p.m.
Webcast
Presiding
Hon. Bardish Chagger, Chair (Liberal)

• Michael Barrett for Michael Cooper (Conservative)
• Francis Drouin for Sherry Romanado (Liberal)
• Francis Drouin for Hon. Greg Fergus (Liberal)
• Darren Fisher for Mark Gerretsen (Liberal)
• John Brassard for John Nater (Conservative)
• Rick Perkins for Luc Berthold (Conservative)
Library of Parliament
• Andre Barnes, Analyst
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(4), the committee commenced consideration of the request by members of the committee to discuss the parameters of the Right Honourable David Johnston’s appearance before committee.

Motion

Michael Barrett moved, — That, in relation to its studies of foreign election interference, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(a), and of the intimidation campaign orchestrated by Wei Zhao against the Member for Wellington—Halton Hills and other Members, pursuant to its order of reference of Wednesday, May 10, 2023, the committee

(a) direct that a summons be issued to the Special Rapporteur, David Johnston, to appear before the Committee, by himself, for three hours, no later than seven days following the adoption of this motion; and

(b) report to the House forthwith that it re-affirms its support for a national public inquiry, expressed in its Twenty-fifth Report, which was concurred in by the House on Thursday, March 23, 2023, and calls upon the government to begin consultations, among the recognized parties, on the appointment of that inquiry within 24 hours with a view to launching it within two weeks.

Debate arose thereon.

At 2:45 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 2:48 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The debate continued

Amendment

Ryan Turnbull moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words in section (a) with the following: “re-invite the Special Rapporteur, the Right Honourable David Johnston, to appear before the Committee, by himself, for two hours, no later than fourteen days following the adoption of this motion; and”.

Debate arose thereon.

Subamendment

Michael Barrett moved, — That the amendment be amended by replacing the words “fourteen days” with the words “seven days”.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Michael Barrett and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Michael Barrett, Luc Berthold, Blaine Calkins, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, John Nater — 5;

NAYS: Rachel Blaney, Greg Fergus, Darren Fisher, Sherry Romanado, Ruby Sahota, Ryan Turnbull — 6.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the amendment be amended by replacing the words “for two hours, no later than fourteen days following the adoption of this motion” with the words “for three hours, as soon as possible and no later than Tuesday, June 6, 2023”.

The question was put on the amendment of Ryan Turnbull, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Rachel Blaney, Greg Fergus, Darren Fisher, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Sherry Romanado, Ruby Sahota, Ryan Turnbull — 7;

NAYS: Michael Barrett, Luc Berthold, Blaine Calkins, John Nater — 4.

Amendment

Greg Fergus moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting section (b).

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Greg Fergus and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Greg Fergus, Darren Fisher, Sherry Romanado, Ruby Sahota, Ryan Turnbull — 5;

NAYS: Michael Barrett, Luc Berthold, Rachel Blaney, Blaine Calkins, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, John Nater — 6.

At 3:46 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:49 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The debate resumed on the motion, as amended.

Amendment

Greg Fergus moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words "March 23, 2023 and" the following: "(i)"; and adding after the words "within two weeks", the following: "(ii) calls upon the opposition leaders to accept the recommendation in 4 (d) from section VIII of the First Report - The Right Honourable David Johnston Independent Special Rapporteur on Foreign Interference, to obtain the requisite security clearance so they can read and review the full report, including the confidential annex".

Debate arose thereon.

At 3:51 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:14 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment admissible.

Whereupon, John Nater appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was sustained on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Alexandre Boulerice, Greg Fergus, Jennifer O'Connell, Sherry Romanado, Ruby Sahota, Ryan Turnbull — 6;

NAYS: Michael Barrett, Luc Berthold, Blaine Calkins, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, John Nater — 5.

At 4:29 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:31 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Subamendment

Alexandre Boulerice moved, — That the amendment be amended by adding after the words “confidential annex” the following: “, provided those leaders are able to speak as freely about conclusions based on this intelligence as the Right Honourable David Johnston, the Prime Minister, and other members of the privy council”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Alexandre Boulerice and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Alexandre Boulerice, Greg Fergus, Jennifer O'Connell, Sherry Romanado, Ruby Sahota, Ryan Turnbull — 6;

NAYS: Michael Barrett, Luc Berthold, Blaine Calkins, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, John Nater — 5.

Subamendment

Michael Barrett moved, — That the amendment be amended by adding after the words “opposition leaders” the following: “, after the Prime Minister has launched a national public inquiry,”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the subamendment of Michael Barrett and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Michael Barrett, Luc Berthold, Blaine Calkins, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, John Nater — 5;

NAYS: Alexandre Boulerice, Greg Fergus, Jennifer O'Connell, Sherry Romanado, Ruby Sahota, Ryan Turnbull — 6.

The question was put on the amendment of Greg Fergus, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Alexandre Boulerice, Greg Fergus, Jennifer O'Connell, Sherry Romanado, Ruby Sahota, Ryan Turnbull — 6;

NAYS: Michael Barrett, Luc Berthold, Blaine Calkins, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, John Nater — 5.

Amendment

Luc Berthold moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting section (b).

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment of Luc Berthold and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Michael Barrett, Luc Berthold, Blaine Calkins, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, John Nater — 5;

NAYS: Alexandre Boulerice, Greg Fergus, Jennifer O'Connell, Sherry Romanado, Ruby Sahota, Ryan Turnbull — 6.

At 5:30 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:42 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Alexandre Boulerice, Greg Fergus, Jennifer O'Connell, Sherry Romanado, Ruby Sahota, Ryan Turnbull — 6;

NAYS: Michael Barrett, Luc Berthold, John Brassard, Blaine Calkins, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau — 5.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, in relation to its studies of foreign election interference, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(a), and of the intimidation campaign orchestrated by Wei Zhao against the Member for Wellington—Halton Hills and other Members, pursuant to its order of reference of Wednesday, May 10, 2023, the committee:

(a) re-invite the Special Rapporteur, the Right Honourable David Johnston, to appear before the Committee, by himself, for three hours, as soon as possible and no later than Tuesday, June 6, 2023; and

(b) report to the House forthwith that it re-affirms its support for a national public inquiry, expressed in its Twenty-fifth Report, which was concurred in by the House on Thursday, March 23, 2023, and

i) calls upon the government to begin consultations, among the recognized parties, on the appointment of that inquiry within 24 hours with a view to launching it within two weeks;

ii) calls upon the opposition leaders to accept the recommendation in 4 (d) from section VIII of the First Report - The Right Honourable David Johnston Independent Special Rapporteur on Foreign Interference, to obtain the requisite security clearance so they can read and review the full report, including the confidential annex, provided those leaders are able to speak as freely about conclusions based on this intelligence as the Right Honourable David Johnston, the Prime Minister, and other members of the privy council.

Motion

Sherry Romanado moved, — That the committee do now adjourn.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Alexandre Boulerice, Greg Fergus, Jennifer O'Connell, Sherry Romanado, Ruby Sahota, Ryan Turnbull — 6;

NAYS: Michael Barrett, Luc Berthold, John Brassard, Blaine Calkins, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau — 5.

At 5:46 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Michael MacPherson
Clerk of the committee