Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. The information that came to the Prime Minister came from our security services and from those of other Five Eyes member countries. It is not appropriate to share those publicly or at large. They can be shared only with those who have security clearance, as some leaders of the opposition — but not all — have chosen to have.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. I’m not aware of what other measures may have been put in place. Respectfully, let me remind this chamber of how things work in matters of protocol and security for events such as what occurred last week. Here I can do no better than quoting from the former Chief of Protocol, Mr. Roy Norton, who was talking about the event and its immediate aftermath — a most unfortunate, embarrassing event.

Let me quote for the record. I’m giving information based upon a former chief of protocol:

This event is happening in Parliament because the Speaker has agreed on behalf of parliamentarians to let it proceed. Parliamentary protocol, who report to the two Speakers — both the Speaker of the House and the Senate — would determine who was going to be invited.

. . . the government would have had zero role in inviting Mr. Hunka or, for that matter, most of the people who sat in the gallery.

So I raise that for the benefit of this chamber to advise you that whatever steps are being taken will involve in some cases the Speaker, whether of the other place or here, and I’m not aware at this juncture of what changes, if any, are being contemplated.