Evidence of meeting #26 for Justice and Human Rights in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendments.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:05 p.m.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Mr. Chair, a point of order.
In discussions with members of the opposition parties, none of us has any objections to these amendments. As indicated, they're all of a technical nature. It's not necessary to have an explanation of each one. I assume the government will accept this position, and we'll accept each one of them on division.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
No, on principle, we are amending a bill that's been sent to us from the House, and I would appreciate a simple, succinct explanation for the record when there's an amendment proposed. Otherwise, the thing gets lost in time and nobody understands why the amendment was made or not made. So at least that.
I'm not proposing we debate everything fully, but an explanation of the amendment would be most helpful to the public record.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Okay, let's do that very thing.
Government amendment number two. Mr. Moore, would you move...?
Mr. Petit on a point of order.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Excuse me. Am I to understand that this will be a general explanation?
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB
We'll try to have a quick explanation of each one, and on each one Karen will be explaining them.
Do I have to move each and every one?
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
5:05 p.m.
Counsel, Judicial Affairs Unit, Department of Justice
The first amendment deals with the definition of annuity benefit. The purpose of redefining annuity benefit is to ensure that a spouse will receive a share of interest payable on a return of contributions in circumstances where the spouse is not eligible for a share of the annuity. When in fact there's simply a return of contributions, the spouse can take a share in that.
We'll also be making the English and the French more consistent with one another.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Shall G-2 carry?
(Amendment agreed to on division [See Minutes of Proceedings])
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
5:05 p.m.
Counsel, Judicial Affairs Unit, Department of Justice
The purpose of this set of amendments is to clarify the determination of a spouse's share when the judge is in receipt of an annuity by reason of infirmity or disability.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Before we go to the vote, is there a line conflict with the next amendment?
5:05 p.m.
Counsel, Judicial Affairs Unit, Department of Justice
In doing these series of amendments, we did not want to presume that the committee would pass every amendment. In the event that this amendment is passed, then there is no need to go on to the next amendment. That one is actually taken up within this amendment.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Okay. Shall amendment G-3 carry?
(Amendment agreed to on division [See Minutes of Proceedings])
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
5:05 p.m.
Counsel, Judicial Affairs Unit, Department of Justice
The purpose of this motion is to propose a number of amendments to proposed section 52.22 of the bill, which provides the regulation-making authority in relation to the division mechanism. Again, because there are some additional amendments being made, it's going to change how some of the regulations will be drafted in support of the provision, and it was deemed an abundance of caution to make sure that the regulation-making authority would then nicely tie up with the new provision as amended in the bill.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
Before that, Mr. Chair, may I ask a question?
These regulations governing judicial salaries are made by whom?
5:10 p.m.
Counsel, Judicial Affairs Unit, Department of Justice
They are actually regulations in support of the division mechanism.