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 ;) You can return to the beginning of this 'series,' by clicking here: Part I.
The "Neverending Story," or "Why don't we just ask the 5th Estate guys what happened?"
Hubbard (LPC): affidavit about the letter (re: 2006 BM letter, Schreiber to BM about extradition problems). There was going to be a meeting at Harrington lake and BM said he would help you with your citizenship and legal problems. What did BM promise to do for you?
Schreiber: promised to take my problems to Harper; BM said that the message was "well received" by Harper, but no guarantee. Vic Toews was Min. Justice at the time and he was going to do "the right thing." In return, Schreiber would write the letter to BM, clearing the former PM of any wrong doing. Instead, Toews made a decision against Schreiber, just before the Supreme Court ruled
Hubbard (LPC): was Elmer MacKay involved?
Schreiber: I'm so sad to say this. After the fifth estate aired ("Money, Truth and Spin"), MacKay was not able to help me. I wasn't sure...I was just *shocked* when Harper said he didn't get my letter.
Hubbard (LPC): Peter MacKay was a former employee?
Schreiber: not mine. Thyssen had him for a while, with their exchange program w/Germany.
Hubbard (LPC): when did BM cease to be a friend of yours?
Schreiber: *laughs* when the letter of request came to Switzerland regarding info from (BM former chief of staff) Norman Spector. When BM cancelled the project, I thought...BM just protecting himself. But when I realized that he really meant it, it made us all "feel like crooks" and I got so mad I couldn't think straight.
Szabo (chair, LPC): Our next meeting will be on Dec 4, 11 AM-1 PM. You must be prepared to answer questions, Mr. Schreiber. After full and appropriate access to your documents.
Schreiber: depends on where you ask me to be in the meantime.
Szabo (chair, LPC): if there's any obstruction of you or your access to papers, this committee will enforce the Speaker's Warrant and authorize you to get your papers. Others will be accountable if they interfere with your access to documents.
Schreiber: as long as I have proper questions and I have access to my home.
Szabo (chair, LPC): the warrant allows Schreiber to access "anyplace" and "any document necessary" and it's very clear...the clerk of the committee must advise if there's interference.
Schreiber: There's unbelievable amount of files. It would become a "neverending story"
*laughter*
Szabo (chair, LPC): we will help you as much as possible for you to have access. You'll get a transcript of today's meeting and the questions asked. If docs are at another location, T.O. or Switzerland, we will be flexible, but there will be no justification for limiting your access.
Martin (NDP): I move that Mr. Schreiber be held under supervised house arrest until the Tuesday committee meeting.
Szabo (chair, LPC): I've been advised that house arrest...I know you have consulted with all parties *but* mine (Liberal), and that the Speaker is not prepared to entertain that.
Martin (NDP): Yes, met with Speaker yesterday with members of the BQ and Conservatives and we agreed that it would be better if Mr. Schreiber was "well rested and in a cooperative and friendly mood" and had access to his papers. But the Liberals said they weren't fully on board. The Speaker said he wouldn't agree to house arrest.
Thibault (LPC): the Speaker raised no objection.
Szabo (chair, LPC): Martin now basically...
Asselin (BQ): (peeved) *I* wasn't consulted (by Martin)...
Martin (NDP): the BQ whip (that he consulted with)...
Asselin (BQ): well, I didn't hear about it. Should add that the security and safety of Schreiber should be assured. Could Schreiber be compromised (under house arrest)? Have not checked?
Thibault (LPC): I don't want to get calls accusing us of "springing" people out of jail. This is absolutely false. Federal custody only controlled by the Speaker insofar as he controls Schreiber's appearance at this committee. The authority is with Min. of Justice and the Speaker.
***Martin & Szabo ask the Committee clerk for clarification about Schreiber's detention***
Clerk: Arrangements made among Corrections Ontario, Ottawa Police and the Sergeant at Arms. The Speaker's Warrant did NOT include anything about Mr. Schreiber's private home. He is only allowed to reside at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre. Documents can be called for--retrieved and brought to Schreiber in jail.
Martin (NDP): we're not giving enough weight to the Warrant. He's in the custody of the Speaker. That's the legal advice that I have. You can't possibly believe that this guy's a flight risk.
Szabo (chair, LPC): the speaker and all parties involved with custody have to concur.
Clerk: Martin has moved that Mr. Schreiber be allowed to stay under house arrest.
Wallace (CPC): I'm not concerned about Mr. Schreiber's sleep. Are we saying that we are not able to get him his records in jail? Does he have to be at home himself? I agree with Thibault--can't have it look like we're springing people out of jail.
Thibault (LPC): I support the motion if it's *clear* that we don't really have the power--just a "Recommendation" to the police and to the Speaker.
Szabo (chair, LPC): Motion carried. Will make the recommendation.
***Adjourned***
Return to Part IV ("Wherein the CPC suddenly discovers its passion for bilingualism") or to the beginning of the series ("Going on their "willy nilly way"--the ghost of Eddy Greenspan")
The "Neverending Story," or "Why don't we just ask the 5th Estate guys what happened?"
Hubbard (LPC): affidavit about the letter (re: 2006 BM letter, Schreiber to BM about extradition problems). There was going to be a meeting at Harrington lake and BM said he would help you with your citizenship and legal problems. What did BM promise to do for you?
Schreiber: promised to take my problems to Harper; BM said that the message was "well received" by Harper, but no guarantee. Vic Toews was Min. Justice at the time and he was going to do "the right thing." In return, Schreiber would write the letter to BM, clearing the former PM of any wrong doing. Instead, Toews made a decision against Schreiber, just before the Supreme Court ruled
Hubbard (LPC): was Elmer MacKay involved?
Schreiber: I'm so sad to say this. After the fifth estate aired ("Money, Truth and Spin"), MacKay was not able to help me. I wasn't sure...I was just *shocked* when Harper said he didn't get my letter.
Hubbard (LPC): Peter MacKay was a former employee?
Schreiber: not mine. Thyssen had him for a while, with their exchange program w/Germany.
Hubbard (LPC): when did BM cease to be a friend of yours?
Schreiber: *laughs* when the letter of request came to Switzerland regarding info from (BM former chief of staff) Norman Spector. When BM cancelled the project, I thought...BM just protecting himself. But when I realized that he really meant it, it made us all "feel like crooks" and I got so mad I couldn't think straight.
Szabo (chair, LPC): Our next meeting will be on Dec 4, 11 AM-1 PM. You must be prepared to answer questions, Mr. Schreiber. After full and appropriate access to your documents.
Schreiber: depends on where you ask me to be in the meantime.
Szabo (chair, LPC): if there's any obstruction of you or your access to papers, this committee will enforce the Speaker's Warrant and authorize you to get your papers. Others will be accountable if they interfere with your access to documents.
Schreiber: as long as I have proper questions and I have access to my home.
Szabo (chair, LPC): the warrant allows Schreiber to access "anyplace" and "any document necessary" and it's very clear...the clerk of the committee must advise if there's interference.
Schreiber: There's unbelievable amount of files. It would become a "neverending story"
*laughter*
Szabo (chair, LPC): we will help you as much as possible for you to have access. You'll get a transcript of today's meeting and the questions asked. If docs are at another location, T.O. or Switzerland, we will be flexible, but there will be no justification for limiting your access.
Martin (NDP): I move that Mr. Schreiber be held under supervised house arrest until the Tuesday committee meeting.
Szabo (chair, LPC): I've been advised that house arrest...I know you have consulted with all parties *but* mine (Liberal), and that the Speaker is not prepared to entertain that.
Martin (NDP): Yes, met with Speaker yesterday with members of the BQ and Conservatives and we agreed that it would be better if Mr. Schreiber was "well rested and in a cooperative and friendly mood" and had access to his papers. But the Liberals said they weren't fully on board. The Speaker said he wouldn't agree to house arrest.
Thibault (LPC): the Speaker raised no objection.
Szabo (chair, LPC): Martin now basically...
Asselin (BQ): (peeved) *I* wasn't consulted (by Martin)...
Martin (NDP): the BQ whip (that he consulted with)...
Asselin (BQ): well, I didn't hear about it. Should add that the security and safety of Schreiber should be assured. Could Schreiber be compromised (under house arrest)? Have not checked?
Thibault (LPC): I don't want to get calls accusing us of "springing" people out of jail. This is absolutely false. Federal custody only controlled by the Speaker insofar as he controls Schreiber's appearance at this committee. The authority is with Min. of Justice and the Speaker.
***Martin & Szabo ask the Committee clerk for clarification about Schreiber's detention***
Clerk: Arrangements made among Corrections Ontario, Ottawa Police and the Sergeant at Arms. The Speaker's Warrant did NOT include anything about Mr. Schreiber's private home. He is only allowed to reside at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre. Documents can be called for--retrieved and brought to Schreiber in jail.
Martin (NDP): we're not giving enough weight to the Warrant. He's in the custody of the Speaker. That's the legal advice that I have. You can't possibly believe that this guy's a flight risk.
Szabo (chair, LPC): the speaker and all parties involved with custody have to concur.
Clerk: Martin has moved that Mr. Schreiber be allowed to stay under house arrest.
Wallace (CPC): I'm not concerned about Mr. Schreiber's sleep. Are we saying that we are not able to get him his records in jail? Does he have to be at home himself? I agree with Thibault--can't have it look like we're springing people out of jail.
Thibault (LPC): I support the motion if it's *clear* that we don't really have the power--just a "Recommendation" to the police and to the Speaker.
Szabo (chair, LPC): Motion carried. Will make the recommendation.
***Adjourned***
Return to Part IV ("Wherein the CPC suddenly discovers its passion for bilingualism") or to the beginning of the series ("Going on their "willy nilly way"--the ghost of Eddy Greenspan")
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