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Minutes of Proceedings

44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 88
Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 11:00 a.m. to 1:06 p.m.
Televised
Presiding
Hon. Bardish Chagger, Chair (Liberal)

Library of Parliament
• Andre Barnes, Analyst
• Sarah Dodsworth, Analyst
Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
• Tara Denham, Director General, Office of Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion
Treasury Board Secretariat
• Mike MacDonald, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Office of the Chief Information Officer
Pursuant to the order of reference of Wednesday, May 10, 2023, the committee resumed consideration of the question of privilege related to the intimidation campaign against the member for Wellington—Halton Hills and other members.

Tara Denham made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:00 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:04 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Mike MacDonald made a statement and answered questions.

The committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to committee business.

Motion

Michael Cooper moved, — That, given the international embarrassment created by the Liberal government by allowing a former soldier of a Nazi military unit in World War II to attend and be recognized during the Address of the President of Ukraine, delivered in the House of Commons Chamber on September 22, 2023, and that either proper vetting was not done or the individual’s military record was ignored, the committee begin a study, pursuant to Standing Orders 108(3)(a)(i) and (ii), concerning this matter, and for the purposes of this study,

(a) the committee invite the following to appear during the weeks of October 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2023:

(i) officials from the Office of Protocol of Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, including those who organized the President’s visit, on a panel by themselves, for one hour,

(ii) officials from the Federal Policing branch of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, including those with responsibility for internationally protected persons under the Protection of Diplomats Convention, on a panel by themselves, for one hour,

(iii) officials from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, on a panel by themselves, for one hour,

(iv) the Acting Director of the Parliamentary Protective Service, RCMP Superintendent Larry Brookson, by himself, for one hour,

(v) the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Commons, former RCMP Assistant Commissioner Pat McDonell, by himself, for one hour,

(vi) officials from the International and Interparliamentary Affairs branch of the House of Commons Administration, on a panel by themselves, for one hour,

(vii) officials from the Privy Council Office, on a panel by themselves, for one hour,

(viii) officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, on a panel by themselves, for one hour,

(ix) representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Canadian Polish Congress, on a panel by themselves, for one hour,

(x) Michael Levitt, former MP and President and CEO of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, and Richard Marceau, former MP and Vice President (External Affairs and General Counsel) of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, on a panel by themselves, for one hour, and

(xi) two one-hour panels of stakeholder representatives whose names shall be provided by the parties to the Clerk of the Committee within one week; and

(b) an order do issue for all e-mails, memoranda or other documents transmitted between the Speaker’s Office or the House of Commons Administration, on the one part, and any government department or agency, including the Prime Minister’s Office or any other minister’s office, on the other part, in relation to the address of the President of Ukraine and the arrangements concerning it, provided that these shall be deposited with the clerk of the committee, in both official languages and without redaction, within ten days..

Debate arose thereon.

At 12:51 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:58 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Amendment

Eric Duncan moved, — That the motion be amended by adding, after the paragraph (b), the following: “(c) That the Committee seek additional resources to meet for two extra hours each week until the above witness list is exhausted” and by replacing, in paragraph (a), the words “October 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2023:” with the words “October 16, 23, 30, 2023 and November 6, 2023:” .

Debate arose thereon.

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: Parm Bains, Rachel Blaney, Terry Duguid, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Stéphane Lauzon, Sherry Romanado, Ruby Sahota — 7;

NAYS: Luc Berthold, Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Eric Duncan — 4.

At 1:06 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Michael MacPherson
Clerk of the committee