International Trade Committee on June 1st, 2010

Evidence of meeting #20 for International Trade in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was clause.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Bill C-2, An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Colombia, the Agreement on the Environment between Canada and the Republic of Colombia and the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Colombia

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Matthew Kronby Director General, Trade Law Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Pierre P. Bouchard Director, Bilateral and Regional Labour Affairs, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

You cannot proceed this way.

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

Do you have a point of order, Mr. Julian?

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Yes, Mr. Chair.

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

And that is...?

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Mr. Chair, you cannot choose out of a hat who is presiding over committee.

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

Well, I'm not choosing out of a hat. I'm choosing a chairman of another committee of the House who is well versed in these matters, and it's hardly with a hat.... I am, however, asking consent of the committee to replace me in the short term.

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Mr. Chair--

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

Mr. Julian, I've heard your point of order.

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Mr. Chair--

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

Are you going to be redundant again?

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

The committee has already chosen. There are two vice-chairs for this committee.

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

I'm aware of that.

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

There is a vice-chair, Mr. Cannis, and you're absolutely right: he is absent. There is also vice-chair Mr. Laforest, and in the event where you are leaving the chair and Mr. Cannis is not available, it would normally be Mr. Laforest. That is the process. And--

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

Thank you. I've heard your point of order.

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

If you could consult the clerks on this, I think you will find that they are aware of the precedents.

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

I appreciate your advice, but I am the chair, and I've heard your point of order.

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

I've asked for a ruling from the clerks, Mr. Chair.

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

Well, you can ask all you want. I'm running this committee. I make the judgment. If there's any consulting to do, I'll consult, if I choose to--

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Mr. Chair--

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

--not at your choice.

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

--the committee has already made the decision--

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

Do you have a point of order, Mr. Keddy?

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

--and the decision is that we have appointed two vice-chairs.

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

Mr. Keddy.

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Gerald Keddy Conservative South Shore—St. Margaret's, NS

Yes, Mr. Chairman. Respectfully, I think there's an agreement among the four party whips that anyone the chair chooses may replace the chair. It does not have to be an opposition member. I think that is what's at stake here.