Speech (House debate)

{
    "time": "2010-06-17 15:15:00",
    "attribution": {
        "en": "The Speaker",
        "fr": ""
    },
    "content": {
        "en": "<p data-HoCid=\"2051561\" data-originallang=\"en\">The Chair is now prepared to make a statement regarding the question of privilege pertaining to documents on the treatment of Afghan detainees in response to interventions by the hon. member for <a data-HoCid=\"128291\" href=\"/politicians/jack-harris/\" title=\"Jack Harris\">St. John's East</a>, the hon. government House leader, the hon. member for <a data-HoCid=\"128559\" href=\"/politicians/ralph-goodale/\" title=\"Ralph Goodale\">Wascana</a>, the hon. member for <a data-HoCid=\"128108\" href=\"/politicians/pierre-paquette/\" title=\"Pierre Paquette\">Joliette</a>, and the hon. member for <a data-HoCid=\"128493\" href=\"/politicians/libby-davies/\" title=\"Libby Davies\">Vancouver East</a>.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051562\" data-originallang=\"fr\">As hon. members will recall, on April 27, 2010, the Chair provided the House with a detailed ruling on the questions of privilege raised concerning the Order of the House of December 10, 2009, pertaining to documents on the treatment of Afghan detainees. Having carefully considered all sides of this complex issue, I made the determination that there was, in fact, a prima facie question of privilege related to the failure of the government to produce the documents as required by the House Order. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051563\" data-originallang=\"en\">However, rather than immediately proceeding to the next step for dealing with a question of privilege, as is normally the case, that is allowing a member to move a motion related to the matter, I opted to defer such action in favour of giving all parties two weeks to work together to reach a compromise.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051564\" data-originallang=\"en\">On Tuesday, May 11, following a request from all parties, an extension to Friday, May 14 was granted.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051565\" data-originallang=\"fr\">On May 14, the <a data-HoCid=\"105824\" href=\"/politicians/rob-nicholson/\" title=\"Rob Nicholson\">Minister of Justice</a> announced that an agreement in principle had been reached between the parties and proceeded to table the agreement. In doing so he stated: </p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2051566\" data-originallang=\"fr\"> All parties agree that the details of this proposal will be further outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed by all party leaders. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051567\" data-originallang=\"fr\"> Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to table that, in both official languages, and indicate to you that it is the agreement between the members that the memorandum of understanding would be in place by May 31, 2010. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2051568\" data-originallang=\"fr\">This can be found in <em>Debates</em>, p. 2848. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051569\" data-originallang=\"en\">On May 31, the <a data-HoCid=\"105824\" href=\"/politicians/rob-nicholson/\" title=\"Rob Nicholson\">Minister of Justice</a> again rose in the House, this time to indicate that more time was required to finalize the memorandum of understanding. No date was given for the completion of discussions or for the tabling of a signed final document.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051570\" data-originallang=\"en\">On June 15, the <a data-HoCid=\"129425\" href=\"/politicians/jay-hill/\" title=\"Jay Hill\">government House leader</a> made a statement indicating that the government, together with the official opposition and the Bloc Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois, had arrived at an agreement. Yesterday, that agreement, duly signed by the <a data-HoCid=\"78738\" href=\"/politicians/stephen-harper/\" title=\"Stephen Harper\">Prime Minister</a>, the <a data-HoCid=\"129314\" href=\"/politicians/michael-ignatieff/\" title=\"Michael Ignatieff\">Leader of the Opposition</a> and the leader of the Bloc Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois, was tabled in the House by the government House leader.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051571\" data-originallang=\"fr\">When, on April 27, 2010, the Chair enjoined the parties to find a solution to the impasse in which the House found itself at that time, I stated: \u201c...the Chair believes that the House ought to make one further effort to arrive at an interest-based solution....\u201d </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051572\" data-originallang=\"en\">Later, in the same ruling, I expressed my hope for a compromise which prompted me to grant members additional time in which to find a resolution to the imbroglio.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051573\" data-originallang=\"en\">The memorandum of understanding tabled by the government House leader makes it apparent to the Chair that a resolution has indeed been found. A consensus has been reached between the government and two of the opposition parties. The Chair notes, in particular and most significantly, that the party whose motion gave rise to the House order of December 10, 2009, is a signatory to the agreement.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051574\" data-originallang=\"en\">In considering this matter, the Chair has taken great care to assess whether the existence of this consensus satisfies the broad conditions that were imposed on the parties in the ruling of April 27.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051575\" data-originallang=\"en\">I must stress that it is not for the Chair to examine the details of the agreement or to compare it to the agreement in principle tabled on May 14. I am responding to the interventions that have been made on behalf of an overwhelming majority of members who have stated that they are satisfied with the consensus agreement that has been tabled.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051576\" data-originallang=\"en\">The Chair can only conclude, therefore, that the requirements of the ruling of April 27, 2010, have indeed been met and, accordingly, I will not call on the hon. member for <a data-HoCid=\"128291\" href=\"/politicians/jack-harris/\" title=\"Jack Harris\">St. John's East</a> to move a motion at this time.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051577\" data-originallang=\"fr\">Instead, the Chair will allow time for the processes and mechanisms described in the agreement to be implemented. Should circumstances change, members will no doubt ensure that the Chair will again be seized of the matter, but for now I will consider the matter closed.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051578\" data-originallang=\"en\">I wish to thank the parties for taking the time required to arrive at this understanding, which is in keeping with the best traditions of this place, and I thank the House for its attention.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051579\" data-originallang=\"fr\">I have another ruling. </p>",
        "fr": "<p data-HoCid=\"2051561\" data-originallang=\"en\">La pr\u00e9sidence est maintenant pr\u00eate \u00e0 faire une d\u00e9claration au sujet de la question de privil\u00e8ge concernant la production de documents sur le traitement des prisonniers afghans, en r\u00e9ponse aux interventions de l\u2019honorable d\u00e9put\u00e9 de <a data-HoCid=\"128291\" href=\"/politicians/jack-harris/\" title=\"Jack Harris\">St. John's-Est</a>, du leader du gouvernement \u00e0 la Chambre, du d\u00e9put\u00e9 de <a data-HoCid=\"128559\" href=\"/politicians/ralph-goodale/\" title=\"Ralph Goodale\">Wascana</a>, du d\u00e9put\u00e9 de <a data-HoCid=\"128108\" href=\"/politicians/pierre-paquette/\" title=\"Pierre Paquette\">Joliette</a> et de la d\u00e9put\u00e9e de <a data-HoCid=\"128493\" href=\"/politicians/libby-davies/\" title=\"Libby Davies\">Vancouver-Est</a>.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051562\" data-originallang=\"fr\">Les honorables d\u00e9put\u00e9s se rappelleront que, le 27 avril dernier, la pr\u00e9sidence a rendu une d\u00e9cision d\u00e9taill\u00e9e sur les questions de privil\u00e8ge soulev\u00e9es au sujet de l'ordre de la Chambre du 10 d\u00e9cembre 2009 concernant la production de documents sur le traitement des prisonniers afghans. Apr\u00e8s avoir soigneusement examin\u00e9 tous les aspects de cette question complexe, j'ai conclu qu'il y avait de prime abord mati\u00e8re \u00e0 question de privil\u00e8ge li\u00e9e \u00e0 la non-ex\u00e9cution, par le gouvernement, de l'ordre de la Chambre exigeant la production de documents.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051563\" data-originallang=\"en\">Cependant, plut\u00f4t que de proc\u00e9der imm\u00e9diatement \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9tape suivante comme le veut l\u2019usage dans les cas de question de privil\u00e8ge \u2013 soit permettre \u00e0 un d\u00e9put\u00e9 de pr\u00e9senter une motion \u00e0 ce sujet \u2013, j\u2019ai choisi de reporter cette mesure afin de donner deux semaines aux partis pour se concerter et de trouver un compromis. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051564\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le mardi 11 mai, \u00e0 la suite d\u2019une demande pr\u00e9sent\u00e9e par tous les partis, le d\u00e9lai a \u00e9t\u00e9 prolong\u00e9 jusqu\u2019au vendredi 14 mai. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051565\" data-originallang=\"fr\">Le 14 mai, le <a data-HoCid=\"105824\" href=\"/politicians/rob-nicholson/\" title=\"Rob Nicholson\">ministre de la Justice</a> a annonc\u00e9 que les partis en \u00e9taient venus \u00e0 une entente de principe et l'a d\u00e9pos\u00e9e \u00e0 la Chambre. Il a alors d\u00e9clar\u00e9:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2051566\" data-originallang=\"fr\"> Toutes les parties conviennent que les d\u00e9tails de ce projet d'entente seront pr\u00e9cis\u00e9s dans un protocole d'entente qui sera sign\u00e9 par tous les chefs de parti. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051567\" data-originallang=\"fr\"> Monsieur le Pr\u00e9sident, je suis pr\u00eat \u00e0 d\u00e9poser ce document dans les deux langues officielles. Je vous signale que les d\u00e9put\u00e9s ont convenu que ce protocole d'entente entrerait en vigueur d'ici le 31 mai 2010. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2051568\" data-originallang=\"fr\">Cela se trouve dans les <em>D\u00e9bats</em>, \u00e0 la page 2848.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051569\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le 31 mai, le <a data-HoCid=\"105824\" href=\"/politicians/rob-nicholson/\" title=\"Rob Nicholson\">ministre de la Justice</a> a de nouveau pris la parole \u00e0 la Chambre, cette fois pour pr\u00e9ciser que plus de temps \u00e9tait n\u00e9cessaire afin de mettre la touche finale au protocole d\u2019entente. Aucune date n\u2019a \u00e9t\u00e9 fix\u00e9e pour la fin des discussions ou le d\u00e9p\u00f4t du document d\u00e9finitif sign\u00e9.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051570\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le 15 juin, le <a data-HoCid=\"129425\" href=\"/politicians/jay-hill/\" title=\"Jay Hill\">leader du gouvernement \u00e0 la Chambre</a> a fait une d\u00e9claration dans laquelle il indiquait que le gouvernement, l\u2019opposition officielle et le Bloc qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois avaient conclu une entente. Hier, le leader du gouvernement \u00e0 la Chambre a d\u00e9pos\u00e9 cette entente, d\u00fbment sign\u00e9e par le <a data-HoCid=\"78738\" href=\"/politicians/stephen-harper/\" title=\"Stephen Harper\">premier ministre</a>, le <a data-HoCid=\"129314\" href=\"/politicians/michael-ignatieff/\" title=\"Michael Ignatieff\">chef de l'opposition</a> et le chef du Bloc qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051571\" data-originallang=\"fr\">Le 27 avril dernier, lorsque la pr\u00e9sidence a enjoint aux partis de trouver une solution \u00e0 l'impasse dans laquelle la Chambre se trouvait alors, j'ai d\u00e9clar\u00e9: \u00ab [...] la pr\u00e9sidence est d'avis que la Chambre devrait faire une autre tentative pour trouver une solution respectueuse des int\u00e9r\u00eats de chacun [...] \u00bb.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051572\" data-originallang=\"en\">Dans la m\u00eame d\u00e9cision, j\u2019ai \u00e9galement affirm\u00e9 avoir espoir qu\u2019un compromis soit atteint, ce qui m\u2019a pouss\u00e9 \u00e0 accorder aux d\u00e9put\u00e9s plus de temps pour r\u00e9soudre l\u2019imbroglio. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051573\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le protocole d\u2019entente d\u00e9pos\u00e9 par le leader du gouvernement \u00e0 la Chambre montre clairement \u00e0 la pr\u00e9sidence qu\u2019une solution a en effet \u00e9t\u00e9 trouv\u00e9e. Un consensus entre le gouvernement et deux des partis d\u2019opposition a \u00e9t\u00e9 obtenu. La pr\u00e9sidence constate notamment, et principalement, que le parti dont la motion avait donn\u00e9 lieu \u00e0 l\u2019ordre de la Chambre du 10 d\u00e9cembre 2009 est l\u2019un des signataires de l\u2019entente. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051574\" data-originallang=\"en\">En examinant la question, la pr\u00e9sidence a pris bien soin de v\u00e9rifier que l\u2019existence de ce consensus satisfaisait aux conditions g\u00e9n\u00e9rales impos\u00e9es aux parties dans la d\u00e9cision du 27 avril. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051575\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je dois souligner qu\u2019il n\u2019appartient pas \u00e0 la pr\u00e9sidence d\u2019examiner les d\u00e9tails de l\u2019entente ni de la comparer \u00e0 l\u2019entente de principe d\u00e9pos\u00e9e le 14 mai. Je r\u00e9ponds aux interventions qui ont \u00e9t\u00e9 faites au nom d\u2019une majorit\u00e9 \u00e9crasante de d\u00e9put\u00e9s qui se sont dits satisfaits de l\u2019entente d\u00e9pos\u00e9e. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051576\" data-originallang=\"en\">Par cons\u00e9quent, la pr\u00e9sidence ne peut que conclure que les exigences \u00e9nonc\u00e9es dans la d\u00e9cision du 27 avril dernier ont bel et bien \u00e9t\u00e9 respect\u00e9es. Par cons\u00e9quent, je ne demanderai pas au d\u00e9put\u00e9 de <a data-HoCid=\"128291\" href=\"/politicians/jack-harris/\" title=\"Jack Harris\">St. John's-Est</a> de pr\u00e9senter une motion \u00e0 ce moment-ci.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051577\" data-originallang=\"fr\">La pr\u00e9sidence laissera plut\u00f4t le temps aux d\u00e9put\u00e9s de mettre en oeuvre les processus et les m\u00e9canismes pr\u00e9vus dans l'entente. Si les circonstances devaient changer, les d\u00e9put\u00e9s veilleraient sans aucun doute \u00e0 ce que la pr\u00e9sidence soit de nouveau saisie de la question. Toutefois, pour le moment, j'estime que l'affaire est close.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051578\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je remercie les parties d\u2019avoir pris le temps n\u00e9cessaire pour en arriver \u00e0 cette entente, ce qui s\u2019inscrit dans les meilleures traditions de la Chambre et je remercie la Chambre de son attention.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2051579\" data-originallang=\"fr\">J'ai une autre d\u00e9cision \u00e0 rendre. </p>"
    },
    "url": "/debates/2010/6/17/the-speaker-37/",
    "politician_url": "/politicians/peter-milliken/",
    "politician_membership_url": "/politicians/memberships/3187/",
    "procedural": false,
    "source_id": "3243842",
    "h1": {
        "en": "Oral Questions",
        "fr": ""
    },
    "h2": {
        "en": "Privilege",
        "fr": ""
    },
    "h3": {
        "en": "Provision of Information to Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan--Speaker's Ruling",
        "fr": ""
    },
    "document_url": "/debates/2010/6/17/",
    "related": {
        "document_speeches_url": "/speeches/?document=%2Fdebates%2F2010%2F6%2F17%2F"
    }
}