Justice Committee on Nov. 15th, 2011

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

May I comment on clause 6?

We'd be opposing clause 6 for the reasons stated, because it incorporates the list of countries. The same would be applied to clause 7 and clause 9, so I don't need to repeat that. Without the necessity of a recorded vote, I want to let the record show that we're opposed to clauses 6, 7, and 9 because of the reference to the list in those clauses. We will support clause 8.

(Clause 6 agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

We're at clause 7 and Liberal amendment number 9.

Mr. Cotler.

(On clause 7)

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I would move that clause 7 be amended by replacing lines 2 to 5 on page 7 with the following:

used for a commercial activity, terrorist activity or the support of terrorism.

Again, Mr. Chairman, it is for the purposes of making the civil remedy more effective and for ensuring that the state sponsor of terrorism and their agencies are more effectively held liable, and to seek to implement the overall nature and purpose of this legislation on behalf of the victims of terror.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

Mr. Harris.

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

We would support that amendment. That effectively removes the list of foreign states but provides that property used for a commercial activity, terrorist activity, or the support of terrorism would be subject to that particular section.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

Seeing no other intervenors, we'll call the vote on Liberal amendment number 9.

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

It fails.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

The motion fails.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Mr. Chair, I don't know if it was my vote that wasn't counted in that, but I raised my hand and I put it down for those in favour.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

Honestly, I didn't see it. The clerk didn't see it. Please keep your hand up if you're intending to vote.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I'm sorry, Mr. Chair.

We're moving close, but certainly if that's the condition.... Was it my vote that was not counted?

(Amendment negatived)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

So the amendment fails, and we now have Liberal amendment number 10.

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I move that clause 7 be amended by replacing lines 13 to 16 on page 7 with the following:

rendered in any proceedings that relate to terrorist activity or the support of terrorism.

Again, the purpose of the amendment is to render more effective the civil remedy involved.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

Thank you.

Mr. Cotler, I understand there is a discrepancy between the English and the French.

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

That is correct, Mr. Chairman. I understand there is a discrepancy between the English and the French.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

So were you moving the English amendment?

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

Thank you.

Those in favour of the amendment--the English version of the amendment.

[Françoise Boivin, NDP, Gatineau, QC]

Amendment of the amendment.

(Amendment negatived)

(Clause 7 agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

Clause 7 is carried, and the committee is now out of time.

The meeting is adjourned.