Evidence of meeting #5 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was ferries.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
Thank you, Mr. Barsalou‑Duval.
I will now turn it over to Mr. Kelloway.
Liberal
Mike Kelloway Liberal Sydney—Glace Bay, NS
Thanks, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to propose an amendment, if possible. Can I read it into the record?
Liberal
Mike Kelloway Liberal Sydney—Glace Bay, NS
I move that in paragraph (b), after “any document unredacted” the words “except as pursuant to legal and legislative obligations” be added.
In paragraph (c), delete “the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, including the office of its responsible minister, the Department of Transport, including the office of its responsible minister, the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, including the office of its responsible minister, the Privy Council Office, and the Office of the Prime Minister”.
In paragraph (d), delete “the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, including the office of its responsible minister, the Department of Transport, including the office of its responsible minister, the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, including the office of its responsible minister, the Privy Council Office, and the Office of the Prime Minister”.
In paragraph (e), after “in an unredacted format”, add “except as pursuant to legal and legislative obligations”.
This will be circulated. That would be the thrust of the amendment, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
Thank you very much, Mr. Kelloway.
I'll turn it over to Mr. Albas.
Hold on for one second, Mr. Albas. I'm looking over at some confused faces. I just want to make sure that everybody got what was put forward.
Do we have it in writing?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
Let me know if you need anything, and I'll make sure that we give you the time.
Mr. Albas.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC
Before you find that in order, Mr. Chair, that substantially changes the nature of the motion, because not only do we want BC Ferries incorporated and the CIB to show some accountability, but also we know that there are some contradictions between what ministers said and did in regard to this.
To suddenly be pulling out all of the responsible ministers' offices—and there are several—significantly changes the intent of the production order. I think that it should not be allowed as an amendment.
An amendment should be allowed, Mr. Chair, only if it's a slight change or tweaking. That is substantial.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
I'm inclined to let the members decide what they'd like to put forward. If it's voted on, they can bring that forward and then I can make a ruling on whether or not it's.... There might be something proposed by another member that tweaks it to something that—
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC
I'd like you to find it in order first. If that is the case, then I guess we could look at other options.
Liberal
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
We have to go directly to a vote on the chair's decision that the amendment is in order. “Yea” is supporting the decision of the chair, and “nay” means that you do not support the decision of the chair.
(Ruling of the chair overturned: nays 5; yeas 4)
We'll now have a discussion on the main motion. If a member has another amendment they would like to propose—I guess I'm looking at you, Mr. Barsalou-Duval—or any changes or other, additional discussion....
I have Mr. Kelloway and Mr. Lauzon on the list.
I'll turn it over to you, Mr. Albas.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC
I would just remind all members that we have to dispose of this business by five o'clock. You can filibuster if you like, but this is coming to a vote.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
Just to be clear, Mr. Albas is correct in that we do have to dispose of all of these questions on the table—if there are any questions on the table—but it is by 5:29, because I reconvened at 4:29, which gives us one hour. It's not that I disagree with getting out....
Mr. Lauzon, you have the floor.
Liberal
Stéphane Lauzon Liberal Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I have been participating in committee meetings since 2015, and we have proposed amendments, some of which are significant. However, overruling the chair's decision to accept an amendment to a motion means that today we are dealing with a motion that can no longer be amended. I feel that my rights have been violated.
The committee has made a recommendation to find a solution that will allow us to reach agreement on the amendment to the original motion. But now the opposition, which holds the balance of power, is taking away our right to speak.
That's politics, right Mr. Albas?
If necessary, the amendment will be modified. I accept Mr. Albas's proposal that some changes need to be made. I am prepared to make changes and discuss them, but I need to consult with my colleagues to determine what should be changed in this amendment.
With regard to everything that was withdrawn earlier, I believe it was important to do so. Now, if we want to reach a compromise, I need to consult with my colleagues. I therefore request a few minutes' break to review the amendment and come up with a proposal.
Liberal
Liberal
Stéphane Lauzon Liberal Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC
Maybe yes, maybe no.... I can talk for five minutes if you like.
Okay, let's do it this way.
Liberal
Liberal
Stéphane Lauzon Liberal Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC
Okay. I can repeat everything in English if you like.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC
Look, Mr. Chair, if a dog eats your homework, you say, “The dog ate my homework,” and you get told that doesn't pass muster. You don't get to say, “Yeah, I'm going to go and try to see if I can get the dog to give it back.” That's what you're doing here, Mr. Chair. The dog ate his homework.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
I've always had faith in our ability to find ways to come together and find solutions. I will give this five minutes to see whether we can. If we can't, we move on.
I'll suspend for five minutes, colleagues.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
I will call this meeting back to order, and I guess I'll—
Yes, Ms. Nguyen.
Liberal
Chi Nguyen Liberal Spadina—Harbourfront, ON
Mr. Chair, this is fun and procedurally nerdy for me. The motion that was brought forward did not specify a deadline for the committee to conclude the business. The motion adopted by this committee specifically states, “And immediately following the conclusion of the testimony, that the committee devote one hour of business to determining the action it intends to take on this meeting, and that the questions raised be put to the vote before the meeting is adjourned.”
This motion gives us an hour to discuss the action we intend to take. It does not impose a deadline on these discussions. It simply states that we cannot adjourn until any questions raised have been put to a vote.
Standing Order 116 clearly states:
Standing Orders apply generally.
(1) In a standing, special or legislative committee, the Standing Orders shall apply so far as may be applicable, except the standing orders as to the election of a Speaker, seconding of motions, limiting the number of times of speaking and the length of speeches.
End of debate.
(2)(a) Unless a time limit has been adopted by the committee or by the House, the Chair of a standing, special or legislative committee may not bring a debate to an end while there are members present who still wish to participate. A decision of the Chair in this regard may not be subject to an appeal to the committee.
I just wanted to bring that to your attention and to note that.
