Juno News - May 25, 2022


＂Cabinet Confidentiality＂ is being used to hide the truth about the Emergencies Act


Episode Stats

Length

3 minutes

Words per Minute

152.36746

Word Count

502

Sentence Count

39

Misogynist Sentences

1


Summary


Transcript

00:00:00.000 Thank you for the question, Mr. Green. You'll understand that, first of all, I'm constrained, first of all, by Cabinet confidence, which is a fundamental principle of the Westminster system, as well as by solicitor-client privilege, which is also a fundamental principle according to our Supreme Court in our legal system.
00:00:16.200 Why did it take 24 days?
00:00:17.560 Thank you for the question, Senator Harder. It was an unprecedented situation, and obviously I will not divulge Cabinet confidence. You're well aware of that, nor will I divulge solicitor or betray solicitor-client privilege.
00:00:31.960 Is that correct?
00:00:32.980 I'm not going to betray Cabinet confidence, and so the financing measures came into place.
00:00:38.660 In those consultations, did you consult with Provincial Attorneys General?
00:00:42.820 There were, we did have a consultation report, and there were, again, I'm not going to betray, I'm not going to betray Cabinet confidences.
00:00:55.140 I would ask that you undertake to provide the analysis and the information that you were made aware of, that you relied upon, to, you know, to be part of making the invocation for this particular emergencies act, sir.
00:01:15.060 Thank you, Mr. Motz. I understand the sentiment behind the question, and I certainly share the goal of transparency.
00:01:20.800 I think Canadians will understand that Cabinet confidence is a critical part of our Cabinet governance system.
00:01:29.400 You know, we, we, I can't get into the details of specific discussions, but I can say that, yeah.
00:01:36.820 Why can't we get into the details, Commissioner? Sorry.
00:01:39.200 Well, because they were within Cabinet, and, and I'm bound by that Cabinet confidence, but I can, I can talk about in general.
00:01:48.580 I provided the situational report, which would have provided them the details that they needed to come up with some of the measures.
00:01:56.100 Are you still maintaining solicitor and client privilege? Are you willing to waive that?
00:02:01.420 Well, I'm also bound by Cabinet confidence as well.
00:02:04.760 You're not part of the Cabinet. You're not part of that confidence.
00:02:07.860 No, but I am when I provide them information in Cabinet.
00:02:12.880 To be continued.
00:02:15.200 Oh, do I?
00:02:15.980 Seconds.
00:02:16.620 Oh!
00:02:16.780 Go ahead.
00:02:18.860 You're not part of Cabinet. You're not an elected official.
00:02:23.580 So why are you hiding behind Cabinet confidentiality?
00:02:26.860 Canadians want to know.
00:02:28.140 Point of order, Madam Chair, I would just request that the, um, questions go through the Chair rather than directly to the witness.
00:02:33.820 I didn't think we were that formal, Madam Chair, that we had to say through the Chair.
00:02:39.080 We weren't before the badgering, but now we are.
00:02:41.160 Do you have a witness to answer the question?
00:02:43.700 Uh, we stopped the clock. Okay, we'll go ahead. It's 37 seconds.
00:02:46.920 Why do you feel you are bound by Cabinet confidentiality as an unelected official?
00:02:54.560 When I'm providing information within Cabinet, I'm bound by the rules of Cabinet.
00:03:00.760 Are you part of the Liberal government, Ms. Lucky?
00:03:03.720 Not at all.
00:03:04.820 Are you a donor to the Liberal Party?
00:03:07.260 No.
00:03:08.660 You sure about that?
00:03:10.360 I'm sure.
00:03:11.100 Are you still citing Cabinet confidentiality?
00:03:17.240 Yes.