Meeting 15 · November 18, 2025 · 11:01–11:42 (41m)
45-11 witness · 61 interventions · 3,793 words
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) met to study the committee's motion regarding the production of unredacted contracts related to Stellantis. The sole witness was Michel Bédard, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel of the House of Commons.
Michel Bédard explained that the parliamentary power to send for papers and records is unfettered, with no inherent limits, though committees can set their own safeguards for confidentiality. He noted that if a department or third party refuses to comply with a production order, the committee cannot enforce compliance itself but must report the matter to the House, where a question of privilege can be raised. He clarified that claims of confidentiality, such as solicitor-client privilege or commercial sensitivity, are for the committee to assess, and that past committees have used in-camera consultations to address such concerns.
Bédard stated he was providing legal advice to the committee, and that while such advice is typically confidential, the information he shared was based on publicly available materials. He noted that the committee had received redacted documents from the department, which did not fully comply with the October 20 motion, and suggested that inviting Stellantis and ISED officials to appear in camera could allow the committee to examine unredacted documents and hear their rationale for redactions.
During the meeting, a motion was introduced by Iqra Khalid to invite officials from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Stellantis to provide their rationale for the redactions. After debate, members agreed to proceed with a vote on the motion, with an amendment specifying that the witnesses appear in person, and the meeting concluded without further procedural debate or votes.
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Michel Bédard
Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel, Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel
Opening remarks
The power to send for records and papers is rooted in the parliamentary privilege of the House and Parliament. It is subject to the limit that Parliament or committees want to set when they ask for documents. They could provide some safeguards regarding the distribution of documents to maintain confidentiality. Ultimately, the power to send for records is unfettered.