Evidence of meeting #22 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was workers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:40 p.m.
The Clerk
Mr. Crête moves that the debate on the amendment to the motion be adjourned until Thursday, October 26, and that this be the first item of business on that day.
5:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
It is seconded by Mr. Lapierre. Is there any debate on this?
Mr. Arthur.
5:45 p.m.
Independent
André Arthur Independent Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
At this point, pardon the inexperience of this youngster here, but we've made commitments to people who are coming to the committee to talk to us and answer our questions. If we have to move that forward to Thursday, I think it would be an elementary politeness to put that at the end of the next session and not at the beginning.
5:45 p.m.
Bloc
5:45 p.m.
Independent
André Arthur Independent Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
If you want to punish the government because it's spoken, you can do so, but, if you want to be respectful toward the people appearing before you, you'll have to be consistent. You're always here thanking them for coming to see us and telling them how delighted you are to see them, and here you're going to make them wait in the corridor.
5:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
If members want to speak, the clerk has a list. It was Monsieur Arthur, and then I have Mr. Carrie.
5:45 p.m.
Conservative
Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON
Mr. Chair, this is very important, and I fail to see the relevance of doing this right now. As I said, everybody has known since June 13 what was happening with the government. We have been very clear. We had witnesses last week. We listened to the different witnesses. They basically said they're not arguing with the philosophy behind the direction. There is a little bit of a disagreement. Some people want things going now. Some people would like to wait for a year, but on the overall philosophy of what the government is doing and what they're moving forward, everyone seems to be in agreement. By delaying this even further, as even the witnesses stated, the benefits to the Canadian consumer, as far as having more open competition, are going to be dramatic.
I fail to see the relevance of this entire process. Why are we doing this now? This is something that the opposition has had months to do. It's not the government stalling this. This is something that you've had months to bring toward the government, and nothing was done until last week. This is not a filibuster; this is something that is very important. What the opposition wants to do is delay this, and I fail to see why you would like to do this at this stage and stop the benefits.
5:45 p.m.
Bloc
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
We have until November 2, sir, to give notice. After that date, the deadline will be passed.
5:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Monsieur Crête, do you want to go ahead?
Are you finished, Mr. Carrie?
5:45 p.m.
Conservative
Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON
Well, he's talking about the second of November. The honourable member knows he's had since June 13. Nothing, absolutely nothing, has been brought up by the opposition. They've had since June 13 to bring recommendations to the CRTC. I did not see one single member here actually bring up any recommendations to the CRTC. Nothing has been done. We have had all kinds of other recommendations by companies. We've had recommendations by individuals. There's been nothing from the senators.
5:45 p.m.
Liberal
5:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative Colin Carrie
The recommendations have been made. We've had plenty of time to do that. This is a delay tactic by the opposition for something the former government wanted to see put forward, and all we're doing is moving this forward.
5:45 p.m.
Bloc
5:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
If we vote in favour of this, I'm going to phone the witnesses and tell them we're debating this. I guess we'll have to move them off to whenever, because I'm not going to have witnesses sit here while we debate a motion for two hours. Okay?
Yes, Mr. Carrie.
5:45 p.m.
Conservative
Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON
We have a tight agenda that we have worked through for travel and for everything to get this manufacturing study done. They've had tons of time to bring this entire motion forward. Nothing has been done. Why is it so important that we do it right now?
If we have to vote, if we have to cancel witnesses, it's going to put us behind on our agenda for the manufacturing. This is something that doesn't need to go forward. If you insist on voting on this, I want a recorded vote.
5:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
We'll have a recorded vote.
On the motion of Monsieur Crête, that the debate on the amendment and the motion be adjourned until Thursday, October 26, at the usual time of the meeting, and that this be the first item of business on that day.
(Motion agreed to: yeas 7; nays 4)
5:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
It's passed. At 3:30 we will debate this motion.
The meeting is adjourned.
