Natural Resources Committee on Oct. 30th, 2023

[Daniel Blaikie, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

I do actually have a point of order.

I think it would be unfair to let him get far into his comments and then—

[The Chair, Liberal, George Chahal]

Okay.

Mr. Genuis, I will ask you—

[An hon. member]

It's disgusting.

[An hon. member]

Just ignore it.

[The Chair, Liberal, George Chahal]

Colleagues, please.

Go ahead, Mr. Blaikie, on your point of order.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Well, I've noticed—

[Jeremy Patzer, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

I have a point of order.

[An hon. member]

This is an abuse of process.

[The Chair, Liberal, George Chahal]

Colleagues, order.

Are we done, folks? Do we want to have some more—

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

I'll continue.

[The Chair, Liberal, George Chahal]

When you're recognized, you'll be given the opportunity to speak.

Mr. Blaikie, go ahead on your point of order.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

I don't know what members are talking about when they say there's an abuse of process. I don't know exactly what they're indicating. However, I wish that they would hear me out, and then they would know if I'm asking legitimate questions or not.

Again, the temptation is to use the word “visitor” because I thought of myself as a visiting committee member when I came in. However, I know that's upsetting to some Conservatives who have thin skin.

I notice that there are a lot of associate members around the table tonight. I know that, from time to time, papers aren't filed the way they ought to be, and that can create problems later. Can you consult with officials at the table to check and make sure that all of the paperwork has been appropriately filed for people who may be substituting? Others, of course, are here as visitors or associate members, so it's not as big a deal. However, for some who may be substituting.... I wonder if we could know who is a substitute, who is an associate member, and whether all the paperwork is in good order.

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

Mr. Chair, may I continue?

This member could have gone up and—

[The Chair, Liberal, George Chahal]

Thank you, Mr. Blaikie.

You're asking, I believe, who the voting members are on the committee before we proceed to any votes and who the other participating members are. If you give me a moment, I'll get clarification on that.

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

In the meantime, Chair, since I have the floor, may I speak? I have been speaking—

[The Chair, Liberal, George Chahal]

Mr. Genuis, I have not recognized you again. I am dealing with the point of order raised by Mr. Blaikie, which I think is an important point of order so members know. The member has asked who the voting members are. The clerk will—

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

Chair, just on that, I would like, on a point of order—

[The Chair, Liberal, George Chahal]

Mr. Genuis, I will ask you to turn off your mic and not keep turning it on until you are recognized.

I'll ask the clerk who the voting members are before we proceed to any votes.

Go ahead, Mr. Clerk.

[The Clerk]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I have Mr. Aldag, Ms. Dabrusin, Ms. Jones, Madame Lapointe, Mr. Sorbara, Mr. Brock, Mr. Falk, Mr. Patzer, Mr. Genuis, Monsieur Simard and, finally, Mr. Angus.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, George Chahal]

I hope, Mr. Blaikie, that provides clarity on the point of order.

Now, we have another point of order by Mr. Angus.

Mr. Angus, go ahead on a point of order.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Thank you.

Since I'm technically the only New Democrat vote here, if I have to step out or, say, if my mom calls to tell me she's sick, and I have to deal with that, we do have a process that I can transfer the voting chair that belongs to Mr. Angus—

[Jeremy Patzer, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

That is not a point of order.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I'm just asking for clarification because we're dealing with really important legislation, Mr. Chair. We've had six weeks of gong show stuff where we couldn't get to the legislation, so tonight, I just want to make sure I don't undermine the role of the New Democrats by having to, say, go talk to my 84-year-old mother, whose birthday was yesterday, by the way.

[An hon. member]

Oh, happy birthday.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

So, if Mom calls me and I step out, do I have to tell the clerk?