Government Operations Committee on June 16th, 2009

[The Chair, Liberal, Derek Lee]

You're not free to sub-delegate items of debate and business and orders. You have the microphone. You're not in a position to invite Mr. Calandra to join you in a collaboration on something here. You have the floor as a debater.

[Rob Anders, Conservative, Calgary West, AB]

Mr. Chair, then I'll go ahead and challenge the chair with regard to that ruling. I think that was incorrect, and I think it sets a horrible precedent for the committee. I don't think it agrees with your previous decisions or decisions of other chairs in previous matters related to that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Derek Lee]

What was the ruling that's being challenged?

[Rob Anders, Conservative, Calgary West, AB]

The issue is that Mr. Calandra's previous motions were disallowed because they required 48 hours' notice, whereas the requirement for 48 hours' notice is obviously not being applied to Ms. Hall Findlay's motion. That is an inconsistent and inappropriate ruling by you as chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Derek Lee]

I didn't give a ruling; I just gave an explanation.

[Rob Anders, Conservative, Calgary West, AB]

I think I disagree with your explanation. I think Mr. Calandra would as well, sir.

[The Chair, Liberal, Derek Lee]

Well, you're entitled to that.

[Rob Anders, Conservative, Calgary West, AB]

I am entitled to it, sir.

[The Chair, Liberal, Derek Lee]

So it's done. The disagreement is fully recorded.

[Rob Anders, Conservative, Calgary West, AB]

Well, sir, I think we should have a vote on the challenging of your position with regard to that, and evaluate your chairmanship.

[The Chair, Liberal, Derek Lee]

You're not in a position to challenge my views. You're in a position to challenge a ruling, but I didn't make a ruling. But your views are clearly noted on the record.

[Martha Hall Findlay, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

Mr. Chair, I think we can solve this right away.

[The Chair, Liberal, Derek Lee]

On debate, Ms. Hall Findlay, or on a point of order, whichever....

[Martha Hall Findlay, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

I'm not sure now, given all the terminology that has been bandied about, but I will offer to pull back the motion and we will give the 48 hours' notice and have it revisited on Thursday.

[The Chair, Liberal, Derek Lee]

All right, or we can simply continue debate on Thursday when we come back, but either way--

[Martha Hall Findlay, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

We will ensure that any concerns about process, though perhaps unwarranted, will be addressed, and then we will bring this back Thursday.

[The Chair, Liberal, Derek Lee]

All right. Thank you very much for that.

[Martha Hall Findlay, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, for your patience.

[The Chair, Liberal, Derek Lee]

Thank you, colleagues.

May we adjourn? It looks as though we can.

We're adjourned.