Evidence of meeting #6 for Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was afghanistan.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:25 p.m.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
I have no idea. It says, “Protected B” on it, and it was brown-enveloped to one of our members--
5:25 p.m.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
--and it has been sent to the Chief of the Defence Staff, by the way.
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
Yes, it's on a different point of order. I want to know, Mr. Chair, how it came about that two NDP members spoke to a committee witness. As far as I know, they are only allowed one member, but we had a situation over here where two members spoke. I want to know the procedure and I want to know how that happened.
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
That's correct.
This actually came up last week. I wasn't disappointed or discouraged by it, but I did go and check the rules of order. It's very clear that if one is not signed in.... Because the NDP has one position on this committee, you can have any number sitting at the table, and indeed they can speak. They cannot vote. Only one position can vote, but they can speak, unless there is an objection raised by the committee. It doesn't suggest there--and I've asked our clerk to check it out--whether or not, then, there would be a vote or if the objection itself would be enough to stop it.
My question to the clerk last week was whether I should proceed and question the committee. The book says that they may participate in the public proceedings of any committee of which they are not a member “unless the House or the committee” in question “otherwise orders”. It would have had to be on a protest or on a point of order at that time, and it didn't happen.
And you know, I think that's good. We'll leave that for another time, but I think the committee was very generous to our New Democrats on that side. Hopefully it will continue, but there is not a chance that--
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
But now I want to put you on notice that in future you can expect an objection. I'm giving you notice, so don't try to hide it again--
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
All right. Thank you.
Mr. Hawn, our time is almost at 5:30. Do you want to continue?
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Okay. We can't take a vote unless we have unanimous consent for a vote once the bells are ringing.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
Okay. I'll speak quickly. I move: “That the Committee begin without delay to investigate and study Canada's preparations and plans for the withdrawal of Canadian Forces from Afghanistan in 2011--
5:30 p.m.
An hon. member
Dispense.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
All right. We have the motion brought before us. It is a motion that Mr. Hawn has brought. Debate?
Mr. Rae.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
I would just indicate that Mr. Hawn is right. We need to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time, and the question will be for the steering committee to figure out how we do that. I'm certainly prepared to support this wholeheartedly if there's an understanding that we don't completely abandon the other issue, and that there will be some opportunity to combine the two, but I do think we need to address the question of the future.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
5:30 p.m.
Some hon. members
Yes.
5:30 p.m.
An hon. member
Let's have a vote.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
We need unanimous consent to continue at this point. Do we have unanimous consent to continue?
5:30 p.m.
An hon. member
No.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
So the NDP denies unanimous consent to examine the future.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
All right. We will adjourn, then.
Thank you very much. We'll see you back here next week.
The meeting is adjourned.