Evidence of meeting #25 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 information.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Joe Wild  Senior Counsel, Legal Services, Treasury Board Portfolio, Department of Justice

5:25 p.m.

Bloc

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...

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

On a point of order, Mr. Poilievre.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON

I fail to see how this argument is relevant.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

Well, he's trying to help you.

But don't overdo it.

5:25 p.m.

Bloc

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.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

Mr. Owen.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

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.

5:30 p.m.

Senior Counsel, Legal Services, Treasury Board Portfolio, Department of Justice

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.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

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?

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

Mr. Poilievre.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

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.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

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

I have a point of order.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

On a point of order.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

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

It's 5:30, Chair.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

Proceed.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

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.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

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

I have a point of order, Chair.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

Yes, on a point of order.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

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—

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

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

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

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

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.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON

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

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Tilson

Indeed, you will.

Thanks. The meeting is adjourned.