Liberals interfering with ‘exclusive jurisdiction’ of House, Speaker tells court
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OTTAWA — House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota says a federal attempt to shield documents related to the firing of two scientists is a violation of parliamentary privilege and must be tossed out of court.
In a notice of motion filed today in Federal Court, Rota says pursuant to its parliamentary privileges, the House of Commons has the power to send for the “persons, papers and records” it deems necessary to its functions.
He says this constitutionally entrenched power is fundamental to Canada’s system of parliamentary democracy, and to Parliament’s critical role in acting as the “grand inquest of the nation” and in holding the executive branch of government to account.
The Liberal government asked the court last month to prohibit disclosure of records concerning dismissal of two scientists from Canada’s highest-security laboratory.
