[English]
EVIDENCE
[Recorded by Electronic Apparatus]
Wednesday, December 5, 2001
• 1537
[English]
The Chair (Mr. Andy Scott (Fredericton, Lib.)): Good afternoon.
[Translation]
Welcome everyone. May I
[English]
open the meeting?
I'd like to call to order the 54th meeting of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), a study of budget considerations for the Department of the Solicitor General and the Department of Justice is on the agenda for today.
Before we proceed, we have a point of order. Madame Venne.
[Translation]
Ms. Pierrette Venne (Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, BQ): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First of all, would it be possible to ask the officials seated at the table to withdraw until after we have discussed the matter that I wish to raise at this time? Since they are indirectly involved and since I don't want them to think we are being insulting, and given what I have to say, I think the witnesses would be well advised to withdraw while we sit in camera to debate this matter.
[English]
The Chair: To understand, Madame Venne, specifically you would like to present your point of order in their absence—is that what you're saying? That because it involves them, you don't want—
[Translation]
Ms. Pierrette Venne: Yes, because I wouldn't want them to think that I was singling them out in any particular way.
The Chair: I understand.
[English]
The witnesses are excused; I would ask them to withdraw. That means we're going in camera. We can't ask them to leave and then not be in camera, so we'll be going in camera.
I will be suspending for five minutes to allow us to make the necessary adjustments.
[Editor's Note: Proceedings continue in camera]
