ETHI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics met in a televised session at 11:06 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Paul Szabo, presiding.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

On the question of the notices of motions concerning the Mulroney-Schreiber affair the Chair ruled, -That the Standing Order 108(3)(h)(i to v) the motions were out of order; and that under Standing Order 108(3)(h)(vi) the motions were in order.

Pat Martin moved, — That the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics undertake a review of matters related to the Mulroney Airbus libel settlement; including any and all new evidence, testimony, and information not available at the time of the settlement so as to determine if there were violations of ethical and code of conduct standards by any public office holders; and to report to the House on its findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Charles Hubbard moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words after the word “That” with the words “in order to examine whether there were violations of ethical and code of conduct standards by any office holder, the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics review matters relating to the Mulroney Airbus settlement, including any and all new evidence, testimony and information not available at the time of settlement and including allegations relating to the Right Hon. Brian Mulroney made by Karlheinz Schreiber and, in particular, the handling of allegations by the present government including the circulation of relevant correspondence in the Privy Council Office and Prime Ministers Office; that Karlheinz Schreiber be called to be a witness before the committee without delay; and that the committee report to the House its findings, conclusions and recommendations thereon”.

Debate arose thereon.

Mike Wallace moved, — That the amendment be amended by adding after before the words “allegations by the present” the following: “and past”.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Mike Wallace and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Charles Hubbard and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

Russ Hiebert moved, — That this committee commence a study that would have as its purpose a comprehensive review of the Privacy Act.

Debate arose thereon.

Carole Lavallée moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the word “eventually” after the word “Act.”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Carole Lavallée and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

Pat Martin moved, — That the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics call Karlheinz Schreiber before the Committee on Thursday November 22nd, Tuesday November 27th, and Thursday November 29th; and Brian Mulroney on Tuesday December 4th, Thursday December 6th and Tuesday December 11th; to answer questions pertaining to a potential Ethics Committee investigation.

Debate arose thereon.

Mike Wallace moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “Thursday November 22” and the word “and” after the words “Tuesday, November 27th” and after “Thursday, December 6th” and substituting the words “and / or”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Mike Wallace and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The Chair presented the First Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:

That the Committee consider undertaking studies on the following topics, presented in no particular order:

1. Motions presented by members.

2. Inviting the Minister of Justice to appear before the Committee to discuss the Access to Information Act.

3. The database of personal information, including religious affiliations, held by the Prime Minister’s Office.

4. The study commenced by the Committee during the previous session on the Access to Information request for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade internal report entitled “Afghanistan 2006: Good Governance, Democratic Development and Human Rights”.

5. Inviting the Privacy Commissioner to prepare amendments or a new act that incorporates the work done by the Committee in the previous session on the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

6. Resuming the study commenced by the Committee in the previous session on identify theft.

7. Undertaking a review of the Privacy Act.

On motion of Pat Martin, it was agreed, — That the report of the Subcommittee be concurred in.

Charles Hubbard moved, — That the Chair be empowered to summons Kerlheinz Schreiber and / or use any other means for his appearance on or before Novembr 29, 2007.

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.

Gérard Asselin moved, — That the lists of witnesses on the Mulroney-Schreiber study be submitted to the Clerk of the Committee by 5:00 p.m., Monday November 26, 2007.

Debate arose thereon.

Robert Thibault moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “Monday, November 26, 2007” with the words “Thursday, November 29, 2007”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Robert Thibault and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

Russ Hiebert moved, — That David Johnston be the first witness to appear on the Mulroney-Schreiber study.

Debate arose thereon.

Gérard Asselin moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “witness” the following: “after Karlheinz Schreiber and Brian Mulroney”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Gérard Asselin and it was negatived.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived.

At 1:01 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.