Inside Politics

Pack your bags, Unnamed Shadowy Conservative Resource Group Director...

by Kady O'Malley Posted: November 26, 2009 2:02 PM Last Updated: November 26, 2009 4:03 PM
You're going to 112-N Centre Block! 

Well, you might be, that is, provided that the opposition motion inviting you to appear to discuss your role in the creation of that unfortunate anti-Stoffer ten percenter is found to be in order  -- which it probably will be, and on the off chance that it isn't, the chair's ruling can always be overturned -- and passed -- which, again, it almost certainly would be if it makes it to a vote. It was, after all, this same committee that was shut down for nearly a year by a Conservative filibuster on a vote to investigate the in-and-out affair. 

Confused? All will become clear if you check out the liveblog from the first part of the meeting, in which Stoffer explained to the committee why the leaflet in question breached his privilege as an MP, and what he wants the House to do about it -- and then head on back here for the thrilling conclusion. 

(I know, I know -- it's awkward to have to go back and forth for the full story, but I honestly didn't realize that there was going to be a second act, and merrily ended the CoverItLive event after the meeting went in camera. )

Without further ado - the surprise bonus round (in traditional timestamped format, as I had already ended the CoverItLive event by the time that the committee had voted to allow us back in: 

12:44:26 PM
Well, this is unexpected - we're back, with a motion from Godin that would request that the House charge Vellacott, or the Conservative Party -- it's not clear -- for the cost for the mailing -- that is, I think that's what it says, but the chair hastily rules it out of order on the grounds that it's way outside the committee's mandate and power. I think that's probably true, although Preston does agree that it could conceivably be part of the eventual report. 

Moving on from the rejected motion, Proulx starts to discuss possible future witnesses, which triggers a point of order from Reid, who notes that this sort of business is usually handled in camera. Oh, come on, you're not kicking us out again, are you?

12:48:23 PM
Oh, interesting: apparently, we were only allowed back after a vote, which I gather the government did not support. After a totally specious shot from Reid at Guimond over his devotion to democracy except when it comes to wanting to separate from Canada -- seriously, that was uncharacteristically classless -- there is more bickering over whether to go back in camera. Which goes to *another* vote -- seriously -- but luckily, the public -- currently represented by myself and Colleague Naumetz -- wins. We get to stay! 

12:51:57 PM
With that out of the way, Proulx proposes that the committee invite Vellacott to appear, as well as the "person or persons" who created the ten percenter. 
Lukiwski tries to convince his opposition colleagues that Stoffer didn't say he wanted the person or persons unknown -- shall we call them Nameless Party Operatives 1-5? -- brought before committee, and reminds all and sundry that the Speaker wanted them to resolve *this matter of privilege*, not the larger issue of ten percenters. If he heard what Stoffer told the committee about the matter being closed, Lukiwski suggests, he'd consider that done. 

12:55:22 PM
Guimond points out that Stoffer still wants an apology from the person who authorized, and wrote the ten percenter in question; he is not, despite Lukiwski's assertion, satisfied. 

Godin shares Guimond's interpretation of events, and it sounds like this may come down to how, exactly, one can word a motion to summon person or persons unknown; Lukiwksi is sticking to his version of events, although he's willing to check the blues to see *exactly* what he's asking for, beyond for it to never happen again.
 
12:58:11 PM
Guimond is getting riled, and suggests that Lukiwski is taking Stoffer just a wee bit out of context; this provokes a similarly hostile response from the other side of the table, but eventually, Proulx regains control of the debate, and points out that, actually, everyone knows who we're talking about here: The director of Conservative caucus services, which I'm pretty sure is the perhaps soon to be slightly less shadowy Conservative Resource Group. Preston hems and haws, and tells the committee that they have to wait for the blues, and the debate eventually turns to the technical matter of what constitutes privilege. 

No vote on the motion today, but it should come up at the next meeting -- or possibly the one after that. Oh, Proulx wants it to be first on the agenda next week. So it shall be done. "Let the filibuster begin," Guimond snickers, as he heads off to the House. 

Well, that was worth waiting around for, wasn't it?

Tags: blackberry jungle, conservative research group, peter stoffer, shadowy operatives