Marie-Hélène Gaudreau moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h):

(a) the committee examine the measures in place to avoid and prevent conflicts of interest in the federal government policies with regard to contracts and grants or contributions and other expenses;

(b) that in carrying out this study, the committee study mainly, but not limited to, contracts with regards to speeches of Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau within the framework of activities organized by Speakers’ Spotlight since October 14, 2008;

(c) that the committee invite Speakers’ Spotlight representatives to testify about all files related to speeches organized since October 14, 2008, for Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau;

(d) that an order be issued to Speakers’ Spotlight to obtain a copy of all records related to speeches organized since October 14, 2008, for Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau—including, for each speech, the amounts paid, any expenses reimbursed and the name of the company, organization, person or entity that organized it;

(e) that the documents listed in paragraph (d) be delivered to the clerk of the committee within seven days of the adoption of this motion and that their consideration be in camera;

(f) that, for the consideration of documents studied during closed meetings: i. only committee members be allowed to participate; ii. no mobile or electronic device be allowed in the room during these meetings; iii. numbered hard copies of documents be given to committee members by the clerk at the beginning of each meeting scheduled for that purpose and that these copies be given to the clerk at the end of each meeting; iv. copies of documents be kept in the clerk’s office and that outside of meetings committee members can only view them by going to the clerk’s office, and no mobile or electronic device be in the room during the consultation of document.

A point of order was raised as to the procedural acceptability of the proposed motion.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled the motion admissible as the means and process were sufficiently different from the previous motion moved by Michael Barrett on Thursday, October 8, 2020.

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

YEAS: Michael Barrett, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Jacques Gourde, Chris Warkentin — 4;

NAYS: Han Dong, Greg Fergus, Patricia Lattanzio, Brenda Shanahan, Francesco Sorbara — 5.

At 11:19 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:24 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Charlie Angus moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h), this committee undertake a study into issues of conflict of interest and the Lobbying Act in relation to pandemic spending;

that this study continue our work relating to the Canada Student Service Grant, including this committee’s work to review the safeguards to prevent conflicts of interest in federal government expenditures; government spending, WE Charity and the Canada Student Service Grant; and the administration of the Canada Student Service Grant and WE Charity; and

that this study include:

(a) an examination into MCAP and Rob Silver’s involvement with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program;

(b) the consideration of all aspects of the government’s involvement with Baylis Medical Company Inc., as well as former Liberal Member of Parliament Frank Baylis, including the awarding of a procurement contract for medical devices;

(c) an examination into Palantir Canada’s relationship with the government including the breach of the Conflict of Interest Act by its president and former Canadian ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton;

(d) an examination of the use of partisan resources and processes in the appointment of federal judges that may have constituted violations of the privacy rights of nominees;

(e) and that the committee report its findings to the House with recommendations to better permit the government to conduct the business of government with public confidence in its integrity.

Debate arose thereon.

At 11:42 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:44 a.m., the sitting resumed.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled the amendment admissible as there was sufficient variance from the previous motion in both its means and scope.

At 11:49 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:55 a.m., the sitting resumed.

At 12:05 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 115(5), it was agreed that the committee continue to sit.

The committee resumed consideration of the amendment moved by Marie-Hélène Gaudreau.

At 12:09 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 1:35 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, moved by Charlie Angus, which read as follows:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h), this committee undertake a study into issues of conflict of interest and the Lobbying Act in relation to pandemic spending;

that this study continue our work relating to the Canada Student Service Grant, including this committee’s work to review the safeguards to prevent conflicts of interest in federal government expenditures; government spending, WE Charity and the Canada Student Service Grant; and the administration of the Canada Student Service Grant and WE Charity;

and that this study include:

(a) the consideration of all aspects of the government’s involvement with Baylis Medical Company Inc., as well as former Liberal Member of Parliament Frank Baylis, including the awarding of a procurement contract for medical devices;

(b) an examination into Palantir Canada’s relationship with the government including the breach of the Conflict of Interest Act by its president and former Canadian ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton;

(c) the committee study mainly, contracts with regards to speeches of Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau within the framework of activities organized by Speakers’ Spotlight since October 14, 2008;

(d) that the committee invite Speakers’ Spotlight representatives to testify about all files related to speeches organized since October 14, 2008, for Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau;

(e) that an order be issued to Speakers’ Spotlight to obtain a copy of all records related to speeches organized since October 14, 2008, for Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau—including, for each speech, the amounts paid, any expenses reimbursed and the name of the company, organization, person or entity that organized it;

(f) that the documents listed in section (e) be delivered to the clerk of the committee within seven days of the adoption of this motion and that their consideration be in camera;

(g) that for the consideration of documents studied during in camera meetings:

• i. only committee members be allowed to participate;
• ii. no mobile or electronic device be allowed in the room during these meetings;
• iii. numbered hard copies of documents be given to committee members by the clerk at the beginning of each meeting scheduled for that purpose and that these copies be given to the clerk at the end of each meeting;
• iv. copies of documents be kept in the clerk’s office and that outside of meetings committee members can only view them by going to the clerk’s office, and no mobile or electronic device be in the room during the consultation of documents; and

that the committee report its findings to the House with recommendations to better permit the government to conduct the business of government with public confidence in its integrity.

At 1:49 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 1:53 p.m., the sitting resumed.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled the amendment out of order as it is beyond the scope of the motion.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, by Charlie Angus.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Michael Barrett, it was agreed, — That the committee do now adjourn.