Debates of June 3rd, 2009

Joe Preston Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON

Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 18th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs presented to the House earlier this day be concurred in. The report concerns gifts under the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.

The Acting Speaker Barry Devolin

Does the hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House to move the motion?

Marcel Proulx Hull—Aylmer, QC

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. We refuse consent for the simple reason that there has been no consultation on our side of the House. If we could have consultation, we could probably do this very quickly afterwards.

Derek Lee Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I appreciate the remarks of the previous speaker, but these rules will govern all members of the House. I have personally not had a chance to read them. I think all members should have a chance to read the rules that govern them.

I know the member is doing what he has been told to do, but this member is saying that all members should have an opportunity to read the rules that we govern ourselves by. A quick concurrence does not do the job for me. Therefore, I am going to withhold consent for that reason. I respect the hon. member's attempt to get the rules passed quickly.

Joe Preston Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON

Mr. Speaker, I also move that the House give its consent that the 12th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs presented to the House on May 15 be concurred in.

The Acting Speaker Barry Devolin

Does the hon. member have unanimous consent of the House?

Ralph Goodale Wascana, SK

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. It may well be that what the hon. gentleman is asking for in terms of unanimous consent can be given and the matter can be proceeded with. However, in the absence of the normal type of consultation, it cannot be sprung on the House without notice. We are happy to look at it. We are happy to give consent. Maybe that can be done later today. However, the normal consultation needs to take place.

Michel Guimond Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC

Mr. Speaker, I do not really understand what the member means by “normal consultation”. The four whips met. We are members of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, and we have been asking the Chair to submit this report for two weeks now.

I do not see what the problem is. We even talked about this yesterday. The Liberal Party's deputy whip was there. The Chair of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs is at his wit's end, and for good reason. I feel the same way right now.

The Acting Speaker Barry Devolin

The hon. member for Elgin—Middlesex—London sought unanimous consent and did not receive it.

Jay Hill Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among all the parties and I think and hope you would find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of the House, Bill C-33, An Act to amend the War Veterans Allowance Act, be deemed to have been read a second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole, deemed considered in Committee of the Whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at the report stage and deemed read a third time and passed.

I draw attention of the House to the words “without amendment” because there was some issue about whether it was going to be amended or not. It is not amended.

The Acting Speaker Barry Devolin

Does the hon. government House leader have the unanimous consent of the House to move this motion?