It's not so much that as a point of clarification. I was trying to write down the line conflicts.
Is it my understanding that amendment L-2 is in line conflict with L-1.2?
Evidence of meeting #21 for Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
8:40 a.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
It's not so much that as a point of clarification. I was trying to write down the line conflicts.
Is it my understanding that amendment L-2 is in line conflict with L-1.2?
8:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Yes. So we have to choose between L-1.2 or BQ-9.
Okay, let's try some speakers and see how that goes. But we have to have a motion.
I have a suggestion that's been given to me. We're going to group amendments L-1, BQ-8, BQ-9, L-1.2, L-1.3, and L-1.4. We're going to debate all those right now, and then the vote on each of those amendments would be separate. How does that sound?
So let's have a debate on all of those right now--except everyone is looking at me with blank looks on their faces.
Monsieur Sauvageau.
8:45 a.m.
Bloc
Benoît Sauvageau Bloc Repentigny, QC
I'd like to have clarification of amendment L-1.1, which concerns a secret ballot. I'm going to express our position as simply as possible. First, we don't want the Commissioner necessarily to be a former judge. Second, we're opposed to a secret ballot.
I've just summarized our position on amendments L-1.1, L-1.2, L-1.3 and L-1.8.
Do you want to know why?
8:45 a.m.
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
Just on a point of clarification, unless I'm missing something, Mr. Chair, are amendments BQ-9 and L-1.1 not identical?
8:45 a.m.
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
So why do we have to vote on both of them? One first, and then the other one's redundant.
8:45 a.m.
Liberal
8:45 a.m.
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
Right, exactly. So we should vote on amendment BQ-9, because L-1.1 is the same as BQ-9.
8:45 a.m.
Conservative
8:45 a.m.
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
The amendments I've put through, L-1.2, which is found on page 43.3; L-1.3, found on page 43.5; and L-1.4, found on page 43.7, are all consequential to the recommendations of Mr. Walsh.
Now, I would just like to point out that amendments L-1.2 and L-1.3 touch the exact same line and propose replacing line 29 on page 46 of Bill C-2 with different wording. To facilitate, although it may end up complicating, I will withdraw L-1.2, because I prefer the wording of L-1.3.
That leaves one less to deal with.
8:45 a.m.
Conservative
8:45 a.m.
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
I thought you would, Chair.
Now, the objective of these amendments is to bring clarity to the particular section that they propose to amend, and as I said, it's consequential to Mr. Walsh's recommendations to this committee.
I will leave it at that for now.
8:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Okay, we're making a little progress.
Is there any further debate on these amendments I've referred to? We're going to vote on L-1, right? L-1.2 and NDP-1.4, which Ms. Jennings has just withdrawn, are the same.
8:50 a.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Yes. I had it on my 1.4 to withdraw, but I didn't know we were there yet. I withdraw amendment 1.4.
8:50 a.m.
Conservative
8:50 a.m.
Conservative
8:50 a.m.
Bloc
Benoît Sauvageau Bloc Repentigny, QC
Based on the staff's judicious professional advice, I'd like to make a suggestion that would simplify everything. I submit it to you quite humbly. If we voted to know who's in favour of a secret ballot and who's against, then you could sort out all your amendments.
8:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Mr. Owen, I need your help. Your amendment is in conflict with everyone else's, so you're going to have to solve this.
8:50 a.m.
Liberal
Stephen Owen Liberal Vancouver Quadra, BC
I would put the question on L-1, because I think it deals with a lot of these issues. But I do take the point that we should deal with the secret ballot issue, because we probably all have a similar view on that since we've been advised pretty clearly that it's unconstitutional.
8:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Before we get to that, we're going to go to Mr. Moore and then Mr. Poilievre.
8:50 a.m.
Conservative
Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB
Can we hear what our expert panel has to say about some of these? They may have something to add.
8:50 a.m.
Senior Counsel, Legal Services, Treasury Board Portfolio, Department of Justice
Mr. Stringham, I believe, would like to perhaps make a couple of points about L-1.3 and L-1.4.