Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) Committee on June 8th, 2006

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

I understand what you're trying to do.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I just woke everybody up. We're going to vote on whether we're going to put amendment BQ-8 over to the next session.

(Motion negatived)

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

We're now going to vote on amendment BQ-8.

It's tied. The chair votes against the amendment.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

We're moving right along, to amendment BQ-9, on page 43. We're going to require Monsieur Sauvageau to move that.

[Benoît Sauvageau, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I said a little earlier why I was moving the motion. I could repeat my comments. By this amendment, we aim to solve the secret ballot problem, which was raised by, among others, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Marleau, Ms. Adam, and others. In agreeing to amendment BQ-9, we eliminate the secret ballot process and retain the status quo. I know you're very sensitive to respect for and maintenance of the status quo, so this concerns that.

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

We've dealt with all these others indirectly, so we're going to move to page 43.9 in your books, amendment L-1.5.

Mr. Owen.

[Stephen Owen, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

I think this is Ms. Jennings' amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Ms. Jennings.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

I would like a point of clarification.

Amendments L-1.5 and NDP-1.7 are identical, are they not?

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Yes, amendment L-1.5 is the same as amendment NDP-1.7.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Yes. And my amendment L-1.6--

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I'm sorry, I have to draw to your attention that we must choose between amendment L-1.5 or amendment L-1.6 due to line conflicts.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

That's exactly the point I was going to raise, so I'm glad you pre-empted me.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I'm very sorry, Ms. Jennings.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

I would simply ask my colleague Mr. Martin, if I withdraw amendment L-1.5, would he withdraw amendment NDP-1.7?

And given that amendment NDP-1.8 is identical to amendment L-1.6, I would withdraw amendment L-1.6 so that in fact we would be dealing with amendment NDP-1.8. But that's conditional on Mr. Martin withdrawing amendment NDP-1.7.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Mr. Martin.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Well, thank you for the opportunity, Ms. Jennings, but we went through the same issue, and it was our view that due to the line conflict, we should withdraw amendments L-1.6 and NDP-1.8, and we should actually proceed with L-1.5 and NDP-1.7, which are identical. It doesn't matter which of us moves them.

Perhaps we need to get some advice as to the effect, but from research we did last night, I've marked on my NDP-1.8 to withdraw.

I'm wondering, Madam Jennings, why you prefer to stay with your amendment L-1.6 and lose L-1.5.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Through the chair, Ms. Jennings.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Yes, through the chair.

Because once I realized that I had two amendments that dealt with the exact same line, I re-consulted with the clerk, Mr. Walsh's office, and I was informed that they believe amendment L-1.6 brings more clarity and precision than L-1.5.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Chairman, having heard that, I'm willing to agree with Madam Jennings' first proposal and to withdraw NDP-1.7.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

And I will withdraw L-1.5 and L-1.6.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Good.

Let's turn to page 43.12, which is amendment NDP-1.8.

Mr. Martin, you have to move that.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Yes, I'd be happy, then, to move amendment NDP-1.8, dealing with page 47 of the bill, clause 28.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Do you have a question, Mr. Moore?

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

Can we get some comment from the experts on what the effect of this amendment would be?