ETHI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics met in a televised session at 11:07 a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Paul Szabo, presiding.

Decision of the Chair:

The Minister of Transport, Infrastucture and Communities, Honourable John Baird is allowed to appear before the Committee to answer our questions even to make a brief opening statement.

Debate arose thereon.

Pierre Poilievre moved, — That the decision of the Chair be sustained

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was sustained on the following recorded division:YEAS: Kelly Block, Patricia Davidson, Randy Hoback, Pierre Poilievre, Greg Rickford — 5; NAYS: Wayne Easter, Judy Foote, Carole Freeman, Bill Siksay, Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac — 5.

The Chair's decision was sustained.

The Minister made a statement and answered questions.

Carole Freeman moved, — That the meeting do now adjourn and move to Dimitri Soudas request.

The question was put on the motion and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: Wayne Easter, Judy Foote, Carole Freeman, Bill Siksay, Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac — 5; NAYS: Kelly Block, Patricia Davidson, Randy Hoback, Pierre Poilievre, Greg Rickford — 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the negative.

Accordingly, the motion was negatived.

Carole Freeman moved, — That the Committee cease the current proceeding with the minister of Transport and deal with the matter of non-appearance of Dimitri Soudas.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: Wayne Easter, Judy Foote, Carole Freeman, Bill Siksay, Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac — 5; NAYS: Kelly Block, Patricia Davidson, Randy Hoback, Pierre Poilievre, Greg Rickford — 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

At 12:17 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:23 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Bill Siksay gave notice that he will present a motion at the meeting on June 1, 2010, to summon Dimitri Soudas to appear before the Committee.

On motion of Wayne Easter, it was agreed, — That as part of the study the committee 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, that the committee call Jillian Andrews, Policy Advisor in the office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, July 2009.

Bill Siksay moved, — That the Committee give the authority to the chair to summon witnesses that have been approved by the committee, if necessary.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: Wayne Easter, Judy Foote, Carole Freeman, Bill Siksay, Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac — 5; NAYS: Kelly Block, Patricia Davidson, Randy Hoback, Pierre Poilievre, Greg Rickford — 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

At 12:50 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.