Evidence of meeting #29 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was front.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Angela Crandall

5:25 p.m.

An hon. member

Can you read the motion?

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

I'll read it into the record.

5:25 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

We aren't debating the motion.

5:25 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

No, we're debating.... Actually, what you're asking is whether his motion can go into the first spot, correct?

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

That's correct.

I'll read the motion that he wants moved to the front of the pack:

That pursuant to standing order 108 (2) the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs to appear in relation to main estimates at his earliest opportunity.

5:25 p.m.

An hon. member

No, it's not that one.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

Oh sorry, it's number two.

Correction. The motion reads as follows:

That pursuant to standing order 108 (2) the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss the foreign policy priorities of the Government of Canada.

Are you ready for the question on moving it to the front of the pack?

5:25 p.m.

Liberal

Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

Just on a point of clarification--I'm sorry to be difficult--you're withdrawing the estimates part of your motion, is that right?

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB

Yes.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

Yes, because you have asked him to appear before Parliament.

5:25 p.m.

Liberal

Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

So you're only asking him to come here to discuss foreign policy priorities.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

Correct; he will appear in Parliament on the estimates.

We'll vote on Mr. Obhrai's motion to move his motion to the front of the pack.

(Motion agreed to)

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

All right, Mr. Obhrai's motion has been read, that the minister come to discuss policy priorities of the Government of Canada.

Debate, Mr. Dewar.

5:25 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

I'd like to move an amendment to the motion: that in addition to the minister coming forward, the committee report back to the House on whether this committee has confidence in the minister, and that the committee report back to the House as soon as possible.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

Mr. Rae.

5:25 p.m.

Liberal

Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

Mr. Chairman, I'm going to indicate to you my opposition to Mr. Dewar's motion, and I'll tell you why. I'm not interested in seeing this committee get paralyzed by a procedural matter. We know very well that we could use our majority in the committee to vote non-confidence in the minister. We also know what the impact of that would be on the business of the committee and the business of the House. I'm not interested in doing that.

I've indicated my views about the minister. I think everybody knows what they are. I'm just not interested in completely paralyzing this committee to achieve that objective.

So I'm going to oppose Mr. Dewar's motion.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

Thank you, Mr. Rae.

Mr. Obhrai--

5:25 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Chair, just to clarify, we have an amendment in front of us.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

Yes, and we're discussing the amendment portion.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB

Mr. Chair, I agree with the Liberals that there are a lot of other issues that need to go forward. There are a lot of other places where--

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

Am I wrong in suggesting that you oppose his amendment?

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB

Just let me finish.

There are a lot of other areas where you can express your vote of confidence. Let's get the business going.

Mr. Chair, I would call for the question.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

We'll vote on Mr. Dewar's amendment.

(Amendment negatived)

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

Now we will call the question on Mr. Obhrai's motion.