International Trade Committee on Nov. 28th, 2023

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

It would be helpful if we have it in writing.

Read out your amendment slowly so the translators can get it effectively.

Go ahead.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

If the Liberals want to facilitate participation in both official languages, they can propose their motion in advance.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

We have the translators, so please read it slowly.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

All right.

The motion is, “Whereas on March 29, 2022, Liberals opposed a Conservative motion to allow Ukrainians visa-free travel to Canada”.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Mr. Gerretsen, go ahead on the amendment.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

I don't think the amendment is in order. It doesn't even reflect the original motion that was proposed.

If the Conservatives want to litigate this particular red herring that they're bringing up right now, then they can do that on their own at a later point. The amendment does not lend itself in any way, shape or form to the motion that's at hand. I'll vote against it.

If they want to bring forward another thing and to discuss their red herring at another time, they can do that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Okay.

I suggest we call a vote.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I want to speak to the amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

You spoke to it already.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I want to speak to it again.

The rules provide me with the ability to do that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Okay. Keep it up.

At two o'clock there is question period. Keep going. I'm fine.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

That's fine.

Madam Chair, the problem I have is that the member seems to think that this amendment is outside the purpose of the motion. I'm not actually clear what the purpose of this motion is, because, as I said previously, this committee has—

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Go ahead, Mr. Arya.

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Madam Chair, I have other things to attend after one o'clock. It is one o'clock now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Yes, I'm hearing from two committee members that they have to leave shortly.

If we want to try to wrap this up and bring it to a vote, I suggest that would be appropriate, but you have the floor right now and then I have Mr. Seeback.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Chair, I have the floor and I do have more things to say on this matter, but if members...I don't want to stand in the way.

I think, based on conversations with my colleague, there's another matter that the committee wanted to address before adjourning, so I will just move to adjourn debate on the present matter, if that facilitates the committee's moving forward as it wishes.

I'll move to adjourn debate so that we can get to the other matter before the meeting is adjourned.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

There's a suggestion that we adjourn this debate.

Is everyone in favour of adjourning the debate on the amendment that was introduced by Mr. Genuis?

(Motion agreed to)

The debate on the amendment is adjourned.

We now have the motion—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

On a point of order, Madam Chair, you cannot debate the motion if you've adjourned debate on an amendment.

If you adjourn debate on an amendment, then you've adjourned debate on the matter. The clerk can confirm that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

But it still leaves the motion.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

No, the debate on that has been adjourned.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

In that case, may I please ask that the debate on the motion be adjourned, as well?

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

They're not separate things. They happen at once.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

The clerk will confirm. We follow the rules.

I'm not waiting for an answer.

Is everyone in favour of adjourning the debate on the motion introduced by Mr. Sheehan?

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

It's already been done.