Evidence of meeting #25 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
8:55 a.m.
The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Simon Larouche
Honourable committee members, I see a quorum. Consequently, we can proceed to elect a chair.
I am ready to receive motions for the position of chair.
Mr. Godin, you have the floor.
8:55 a.m.
The Clerk
It is moved by Mr. Godin that Mr. Steven Blaney be elected chair of the committee.
Are there any other motions?
8:55 a.m.
The Clerk
Very well.
It is moved by Mr. Bélanger that Mr. Galipeau be elected chair of the committee.
Are there any other motions?
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON
May I ask the clerk if we need a seconder?
No? Very well. I was about to second Mr. Blaney's nomination. Now I want to tell the committee that I withdraw.
8:55 a.m.
The Clerk
Nonetheless, unfortunately, a motion cannot withdrawn. Nevertheless we will have to...
Mr. Godin, you have the floor.
8:55 a.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I do not know what rules we are following, but normally, when there is a nomination, we begin by asking the candidates whether they accept. This is a democracy. This is not—I hope—a dictatorship, and a person has the right to say that they do not want to be a candidate.
Nobody can be forced to become a candidate. We have never seen anyone being forced to become a candidate in any election. If you proceed in this way, you are forcing someone to allow their name to be written on a ballot.
8:55 a.m.
The Clerk
I must inform the members that the clerk of the committee can only receive motions for the election of a chair. The clerk cannot receive any other motion. He cannot respond to any points of order nor can he take part in the debate.
Pursuant to subsection 106(2) of the Standing Orders, the chair must be a member of the governing party.
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Mr. Clerk, with your permission, Mr. Godin is perfectly right. In every democracy, if someone does not want to be a candidate, they do not become a candidate.
Thus, you must ask the person whether they accept to become a candidate. You have not done that. If the person accepts, they become a candidate. If not, they are not a candidate.
9 a.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
Mr. Clerk, if he wins the election and then he withdraws, we have to start all over again.
9 a.m.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Mr. Clerk, during the elections in the other committees, if someone did not want the position, they could withdraw immediately before the vote.
9 a.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Given that Mr. Galipeau does not want to be a candidate, I withdraw my motion.
9 a.m.
The Clerk
Very well.
Is there consent to withdraw Mr. Bélanger's motion?
The motion is withdrawn.
Let me repeat the motion. It is moved by Mr. Godin that Mr. Blaney be elected chair of the committee.
Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt this motion?
(Motion agreed to)
9 a.m.
Some hon. members
Bravo!
9 a.m.
The Clerk
Before inviting Mr. Blaney to take the chair, if the committee so wishes, we can now elect the vice-chairs.
I am now ready to receive motions for the position of first vice-chair.
9 a.m.
Liberal
9 a.m.
The Clerk
It is moved by Mr. Murphy that the Hon. Mauril Bélanger be elected first vice-chair of the committee.
Are there any other motions?
9 a.m.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Yes, I would like to nominate Mr. Yvon Godin as second vice-chair.
9 a.m.
The Clerk
This will be done next.
Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt Mr. Murphy's motion?
We have consent.
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried, and Mr. Mauril Bélanger is the duly elected first vice-chair of the committee.
9 a.m.
Some hon. members
Bravo!
9 a.m.
The Clerk
I am now ready to receive motions for the position of second vice-chair.
9 a.m.
The Clerk
It is moved by Ms. Monique Guay that Mr. Yvon Godin be elected as the second vice-chair of the committee. Are there any other motions?
Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried and Mr. Yvon Godin is the duly elected second vice-chair of the committee.
9 a.m.
Some hon. members
Bravo!
