Committees Held in Camera
Parliamentary committees are normally open to the public -- except during "in camera" sessions, when only committee members, staff, and witnesses remain. The media are sent outside, and the TV cameras are turned off.
Minutes are available, but the proceedings are privately held by the committee clerk and can be destroyed at the end of a parliamentary session.
Members can't talk publicly about what was said, lest they face a reprimand from the Speaker for breaching parliamentary privilege.
Why does this happen?
Usually, when the committee wants to discuss administrative matters or a draft report, receive a background briefing, consider sensitive or confidential information, or weigh the qualifications of potential witnesses.
The chair normally suggests an in camera meeting, though an individual members can propose a motion if there's no unanimous consent.
The concept garnered attention in December 2011 when Conservative MP Mike Wallace sought to pass a motion to place all future committee business in camera at the government operations and estimates committee. Wallace's motion was ruled out of order for that particular meeting, but the opposition reacted with outrage, claiming the government wants to muzzle transparency by imposing the same measure on all committees.
Wallace told reporters that he wanted MPs to be able to speak frankly about potential studies and witnesses, and that testimony would remain in the public domain.
MPs also debate motions during committee business.
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