Karlheinz Schreiber appeared before the Commons Ethics committee on Thursday to testify about his dealings with Former PM Brian Mulroney. This is NOT a transcript, but I feel that it's important to archive them here for future reference...even if it's just my own ;)
Going on their "willy nilly way"--the ghost of Eddy Greenspan
Schreiber: (opening statement)
Going on their "willy nilly way"--the ghost of Eddy Greenspan
Schreiber: (opening statement)
- Outlines the Min of Justice and Ont court of appeal decisions about his extradition status
- Reading Greenspan's advice: Section 62b of Extradition Act--automatic stay pending appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada
- Nancy Dennison wrote to S's lawyer on Nov 27, saying that AG of Canada does NOT believe that the stay applies, but Section 65.1 will apply
- On Nov 28, Greenspan replied to Dennison: believes Section 62 of Extradition Act applies but he is concerned about the Minister of Justice's public statements suggesting surrender of Schreiber in contravention of 62b
- Greenspan will be away at the Superior Court, Sudbury week of Dec 3; will then be away in Chicago attending the sentencing of Conrad Black-->Greenspan will not be able to Make the Dec 10 MinJustice deadline for filing (on their "manufactured deadline"). Greenspan promises to file all materials by Jan 15, 2008.
- At 9:30 this morning (Nov 29), Min Justice replied to Greenspan: in light of developments, the AG of Canada consents to the filing of materials before Jan 15, 2008
- Schreiber: Until the Court of Appeal hearing in Toronto (tomorrow), I am unwilling to testify until this court decides how long the stay will be in effect (reading a brand new note from Greenspan--having sig trouble reading it w/o help from asst. counsel, Mr. Auger; must be a handwritten note from Eddy)
- Schreiber: I was not given any opportunity to review or to go to my home to get materials. (Greenspan) thinks Speaker's Warrant unlawful, "I wish to speak but not under circumstances designed...to be humiliating and degrading"
Szabo (chair, LPC): this committee meets Tues and Thurs whenever the House is sitting; Dec 4, 6, 11, 13...committee under consideration to have additional meetings and also in January. We have lots of time to hear you. Will be flexible. I met with Greenspan last weekend for 2 hours. You should be advised that this is not a court hearing; parliamentary committee hearing. We will go ahead with the committee members' questions, whether or not you can answer them, Mr. Schreiber.
Tilson (vice-chair, CPC): (to Szabo) "You can't go on your willy nilly way..."
Hiebert (CPC): Move to reconvene at 7pm tonight or tomorrow after consulting with Detention centre(s). Clearly, Mr. Schreiber you had ample notice about coming to cmte...must have put some thought into the questions we might ask you. I suggest that if we give you the opportunity to get notes, we can reconvene tonight or tomorrow. If you can't speak until Ontario Crt of Appeal tomorrow, we'll meet after that.
Szabo (chair, LPC): Hiebert, please write out the motion in detail so that the clerk can read it.
Lavallée (BQ): I want to raise a point of order...(voiceover translation incomplete)
Szabo (chair, LPC): That is not a point of order, that is a point of debate.
Thibault (LPC): Can't accept (Hiebert's) motion b/c we have the witness before us *now*
Lavallée (BQ): won't agree to adjourn now, either. Schreiber here right now. We can start now and continue next Tuesday.
Martin (NDP): reservations about Hiebert motion. We tried to convince Szabo last *night* to let Schreiber have supervised house-arrest so he could have access to his docs and a good night's sleep. But there's no point adjourning right now. Can ask general questions and give Schreiber advance notice about what kind of notes to look for. Should advise Shreiber that he does NOT have the right to remain silent.
Dhaliwal (LPC): should ask general questions today and I do not support (Hiebert's) motion.
Wallace (CPC): supports motion, just add time and lets witness review his papers ("not a delay tactic" and accuses opposition of "misinformed take" on the motion)
Asselin (BQ): Point of order...sure that substance of motion is a disguised order to adjourn.
Szabo (chair, LPC): that is not a point of order...
Tilson (vice-chair, CPC): Schreiber should have time to review docs. I'm not trying to delay. I support Hiebert's motion. Three weeks ago, Schreiber was able to provide an 81 page affidavit. I understand that this afternoon would provide sufficient time to look for papers (i.e. if Schreiber was able to provide 81 pg of detail a few weeks ago, his memory should only require minor refreshment with notes that he's probably accessed pretty recently)
Szabo (chair, LPC): Mr. Mulcair is signing in for Pat Martin (NDP seat at cmte)
Thibault (LPC): I don't think you can sign-in for a regular member of cmte (Martin) while the regular member is *still* in the room (Martin hasn't gone anywhere)
Szabo (chair, LPC): but the BQ has done this on a number of occasions, in other cmtees. Sign in Mr. Mulcair.
Mulcair (NDP): the warrants signed by the Speaker said that Schreiber should have access to his documents *before* today's committee meeting. But we should still start asking S questions, so I oppose the Hiebert motion.
Del Mastro (CPC): supports the Hiebert motion; thinks Schrieber is using the cmte as an extradition delay tactic. "Canadians want the truth...not a soap opera!" (Gawd, this guy's a tremendous blow-hard)
Szabo (chair, LPC): where are your documents and records located (Mr. Schreiber)?
Schreiber: Toronto, Ottawa, Switzerland...
***serious laughter***
Schreiber: ...some of these events were 25 yrs ago.
Szabo (chair, LPC): do you have here in Ottawa sufficient papers for us to proceed?
Schreiber: sure. Have to remind you that I, for years, have asked for an inquiry. I was a judge for 9 years in my country. I don't want a political circus...(starts getting upset, especially with Del Mastro's statement, accusing him of using the cmte to delay extradition)
Szabo (chair, LPC): (calls cmte room to order) can you get docs where you're staying tonight?
Schreiber: no
Szabo (chair, LPC): then I'm going to need advice on how to get Mr. Schreiber access to his documents (Speaker's Warrant specifically allows this); The motion is that Schreiber will get his papers, review them...my concern is that if he doesn't get his papers at the detention centre, we won't be able to meet tonight, as moved by Hiebert. Mr. Schreiber, can you consult with your lawyer? Can Mr. Schreiber have his papers at the detention centre?
Van Kesteren (CPC): thinks the Hiebert motion is "an excellent idea;" doesn't know why the opposition wants to delay...
Del Mastro (CPC): Schreiber said he felt this was a "circus;" I encourage my colleagues not to exacerbate this. "This will go on forever...I'm sure he can answer" our questions. Doesn't believe Schreiber needs his documents.
Hiebert (CPC): The opposition is misunderstanding my motion. I'm not calling for adjournment; want to reconvene at 7PM or tomorrow after Schreiber's Ontario Crt of Appeal hearing.
Asselin (BQ): I want to shed some light while all these journalists are here. The Conservative motion is causing all of this wasted time. We are all big boys and girls--we can decide to meet later *TOO* if need be, but Cons want all the media to be gone while we get the testimony. Let's vote on this motion right now.
Thibault (LPC): Let's vote now.
Lavallée (BQ): Yes, let's vote now.
Tilson (vice-chair, CPC): Schreiber's had all the time in the world to prepare. Can't believe his lawyer hasn't been to see him. Prepared to proceed now, but support the motion b/c one afternoon is enough time for Mr. Schreiber to collect his records. Schreiber is ready. We should meet tonight.
Szabo (chair, LPC): (reads Hiebert motion) Vote on motion...only 5 in favour; Motion is defeated.
Coming up next: Part II ("Deferred admission--does anybody here know teh rulez?")
Tilson (vice-chair, CPC): (to Szabo) "You can't go on your willy nilly way..."
Hiebert (CPC): Move to reconvene at 7pm tonight or tomorrow after consulting with Detention centre(s). Clearly, Mr. Schreiber you had ample notice about coming to cmte...must have put some thought into the questions we might ask you. I suggest that if we give you the opportunity to get notes, we can reconvene tonight or tomorrow. If you can't speak until Ontario Crt of Appeal tomorrow, we'll meet after that.
Szabo (chair, LPC): Hiebert, please write out the motion in detail so that the clerk can read it.
Lavallée (BQ): I want to raise a point of order...(voiceover translation incomplete)
Szabo (chair, LPC): That is not a point of order, that is a point of debate.
Thibault (LPC): Can't accept (Hiebert's) motion b/c we have the witness before us *now*
Lavallée (BQ): won't agree to adjourn now, either. Schreiber here right now. We can start now and continue next Tuesday.
Martin (NDP): reservations about Hiebert motion. We tried to convince Szabo last *night* to let Schreiber have supervised house-arrest so he could have access to his docs and a good night's sleep. But there's no point adjourning right now. Can ask general questions and give Schreiber advance notice about what kind of notes to look for. Should advise Shreiber that he does NOT have the right to remain silent.
Dhaliwal (LPC): should ask general questions today and I do not support (Hiebert's) motion.
Wallace (CPC): supports motion, just add time and lets witness review his papers ("not a delay tactic" and accuses opposition of "misinformed take" on the motion)
Asselin (BQ): Point of order...sure that substance of motion is a disguised order to adjourn.
Szabo (chair, LPC): that is not a point of order...
Tilson (vice-chair, CPC): Schreiber should have time to review docs. I'm not trying to delay. I support Hiebert's motion. Three weeks ago, Schreiber was able to provide an 81 page affidavit. I understand that this afternoon would provide sufficient time to look for papers (i.e. if Schreiber was able to provide 81 pg of detail a few weeks ago, his memory should only require minor refreshment with notes that he's probably accessed pretty recently)
Szabo (chair, LPC): Mr. Mulcair is signing in for Pat Martin (NDP seat at cmte)
Thibault (LPC): I don't think you can sign-in for a regular member of cmte (Martin) while the regular member is *still* in the room (Martin hasn't gone anywhere)
Szabo (chair, LPC): but the BQ has done this on a number of occasions, in other cmtees. Sign in Mr. Mulcair.
Mulcair (NDP): the warrants signed by the Speaker said that Schreiber should have access to his documents *before* today's committee meeting. But we should still start asking S questions, so I oppose the Hiebert motion.
Del Mastro (CPC): supports the Hiebert motion; thinks Schrieber is using the cmte as an extradition delay tactic. "Canadians want the truth...not a soap opera!" (Gawd, this guy's a tremendous blow-hard)
Szabo (chair, LPC): where are your documents and records located (Mr. Schreiber)?
Schreiber: Toronto, Ottawa, Switzerland...
***serious laughter***
Schreiber: ...some of these events were 25 yrs ago.
Szabo (chair, LPC): do you have here in Ottawa sufficient papers for us to proceed?
Schreiber: sure. Have to remind you that I, for years, have asked for an inquiry. I was a judge for 9 years in my country. I don't want a political circus...(starts getting upset, especially with Del Mastro's statement, accusing him of using the cmte to delay extradition)
Szabo (chair, LPC): (calls cmte room to order) can you get docs where you're staying tonight?
Schreiber: no
Szabo (chair, LPC): then I'm going to need advice on how to get Mr. Schreiber access to his documents (Speaker's Warrant specifically allows this); The motion is that Schreiber will get his papers, review them...my concern is that if he doesn't get his papers at the detention centre, we won't be able to meet tonight, as moved by Hiebert. Mr. Schreiber, can you consult with your lawyer? Can Mr. Schreiber have his papers at the detention centre?
Van Kesteren (CPC): thinks the Hiebert motion is "an excellent idea;" doesn't know why the opposition wants to delay...
Del Mastro (CPC): Schreiber said he felt this was a "circus;" I encourage my colleagues not to exacerbate this. "This will go on forever...I'm sure he can answer" our questions. Doesn't believe Schreiber needs his documents.
Hiebert (CPC): The opposition is misunderstanding my motion. I'm not calling for adjournment; want to reconvene at 7PM or tomorrow after Schreiber's Ontario Crt of Appeal hearing.
Asselin (BQ): I want to shed some light while all these journalists are here. The Conservative motion is causing all of this wasted time. We are all big boys and girls--we can decide to meet later *TOO* if need be, but Cons want all the media to be gone while we get the testimony. Let's vote on this motion right now.
Thibault (LPC): Let's vote now.
Lavallée (BQ): Yes, let's vote now.
Tilson (vice-chair, CPC): Schreiber's had all the time in the world to prepare. Can't believe his lawyer hasn't been to see him. Prepared to proceed now, but support the motion b/c one afternoon is enough time for Mr. Schreiber to collect his records. Schreiber is ready. We should meet tonight.
Szabo (chair, LPC): (reads Hiebert motion) Vote on motion...only 5 in favour; Motion is defeated.
Coming up next: Part II ("Deferred admission--does anybody here know teh rulez?")
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