House of Commons Hansard #43 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was fair.

Topics

Bill C-20--Time Allocation MotionFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

11:25 a.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Denise Savoie

The hon. member for Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord has 30 seconds to ask one last very brief question.

Bill C-20--Time Allocation MotionFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

11:30 a.m.

NDP

Jonathan Tremblay NDP Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, so much remains to be said.

Where is the urgency? We are talking about the future of this country and this House. The next election will be in four years' time. Where is the urgency?

Bill C-20--Time Allocation MotionFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

11:30 a.m.

Conservative

Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton—Sherwood Park, AB

Madam Speaker, absolutely there is urgency. As the government House leader has explained, in February the Statistics Canada census numbers are revealed and a process begins. If we are to move forward on adding seats to the under-represented provinces to move every province closer to representation by population, we need to move the bill forward. We have made the commitment to move this bill forward, to pass the bill and complete the entire process within our mandate.

The formula is a principle-based formula. It is fair for all provinces. It is important that we move forward.

Bill C-20--Time Allocation MotionFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

11:30 a.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Denise Savoie

It is my duty to interrupt the proceedings and put forthwith the question necessary to dispose of the motion now before the House.

The question is on the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Bill C-20--Time Allocation MotionFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

11:30 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

No.

Bill C-20--Time Allocation MotionFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

11:30 a.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Denise Savoie

All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.

Bill C-20--Time Allocation MotionFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

11:30 a.m.

Some hon. members

Yea.

Bill C-20--Time Allocation MotionFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

11:30 a.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Denise Savoie

All those opposed will please say nay.

Bill C-20--Time Allocation MotionFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

11:30 a.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Bill C-20--Time Allocation MotionFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

11:30 a.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Denise Savoie

In my opinion the yeas have it.

And five or more members having risen:

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #52

Fair Representation ActGovernment Orders

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

I declare the motion carried.

Fair Representation ActGovernment Orders

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

Gordon O'Connor Conservative Carleton—Mississippi Mills, ON

Mr. Speaker, although the Minister of State for Transport was in his chair, he was not in his seat when the call for the vote occurred and, therefore, his vote should be discounted.

Fair Representation ActGovernment Orders

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB

Mr. Speaker, I was going to rise on the same point of order. Although some members of the House may not have noticed, I sneaked in just after you began the vote. I concur that perhaps in this case my vote should be withdrawn.

Fair Representation ActGovernment Orders

12:10 p.m.

NDP

Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

Quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, before the minister made that comment, I was rising to my feet to say that, given the responsibility that we have to accommodate, his vote should be allowed to stand.

Fair Representation ActGovernment Orders

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

The minister of state has indicated that he was not in his place at the correct time, but is it the will of the House to allow his vote to count?

Fair Representation ActGovernment Orders

12:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Fair Representation ActGovernment Orders

12:10 p.m.

An hon. member

No.

Fair Representation ActGovernment Orders

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

I wish to inform the House that because of the proceedings on the time allocation motion, government orders will be extended by 30 minutes.

The House resumed consideration from November 2 of the motion that Bill C-20, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee, and of the amendment.

Second ReadingFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. For the record, I appreciated that there would have been unanimous consent in the House but I refused that consent to allow my vote. I appreciate the sentiment for accommodation but, a the end of the day, the rules are the rules and they must be followed, regardless of who the individual is or why the individual missed the timing, which is why I refused the unanimous consent.

I do appreciate the sentiment of the House, which was to allow the vote. It makes for an interesting philosophical debate, and I am thankful.

Second ReadingFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

The House appreciates both of the sentiments on the particular question.

The hon. member for Windsor—Tecumseh on debate.

Second ReadingFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

12:15 p.m.

NDP

Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

Mr. Speaker, I will not be taking up the rest of my speech because I need to be in committee at this point.

Second ReadingFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

12:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

The hon. member had 18 minutes left. However, if his speech is finished, we should have questions and comments.

The hon. member for Winnipeg North.

Second ReadingFair Representation ActGovernment Orders

12:15 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, I have one very brief question to the member.

I am curious to know what the NDP position is regarding the Conservative proposal that we increase the overall number of seats inside the House of Commons. Does the NDP have a position as to whether we should be increasing the number of seats?