Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) Committee on June 13th, 2006

[Benoît Sauvageau, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

There is a problem, and I am a bit sorry. If my motion is not admissible, unfortunately, it means that the Conservative program was not either. In their program, the Conservatives said they would expand the coverage of the act to all Crown corporations, foundations, and organizations. They never talked about entities created by... It is as if they said they would give Quebec a seat at the UNESCO like it has in the Francophonie, or that they would pass the motion...

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

On a point of order, Mr. Poilievre.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

I fail to see how this argument is relevant.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Well, he's trying to help you.

But don't overdo it.

[Benoît Sauvageau, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Chair, from now on, I will prepare my remarks and send them to Mr. Poilievre so he can censor or approve them. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Mr. Owen.

[Stephen Owen, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Thank you.

Perhaps through you, Mr. Wild could confirm that the subamendment foundations are the only ones created by statute.

[Joe Wild]

On the subamendment list, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation would be the only one that is not created by a specific act of Parliament.

[Stephen Owen, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Then if I could, through you, Chair, I would ask Mr. Poilievre what is the rationale for that, as opposed to some of the other non-statutory foundations?

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Mr. Poilievre.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Yes. It was the view of Conservative members that due to an assortment of factors that are used to judge which organizations should be susceptible to ATIs, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation qualified based on public funds received, based on its capacity to respond to ATIs, and based on the fact that there was no other reason to disqualify it.

Mr. Martin, for example, gave a reason why he believed the Aboriginal Healing Foundation should be disqualified.

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

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

On a point of order.

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

It's 5:30, Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Proceed.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

There was no similar reason to disqualify them. They receive sufficient public funds from the federal government, and as such they were added.

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

I have a point of order, Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Yes, on a point of order.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

I don't know if that member has any particular reason to exclude them, but I would be very interested—

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

It's 5:30. You should be adjourning.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

I don't think the members are going to allow you to continue, Mr. Poilievre, so we'll come back after the vote.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Okay. I'll have the floor when we get back.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Indeed, you will.

Thanks. The meeting is adjourned.