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

[Stephen Owen, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Thank you.

I so move.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

There's a line conflict with G-51, Mr. Poilievre. That will work its way through.

[Stephen Owen, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Thank you.

Well, that will take its normal course, I am sure.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Indeed.

[Stephen Owen, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

This amendment deletes, on page 162, lines 24 to 41, and lines 1 to 7 on page 163. It basically deletes those two sections and continues on clause 225 in their absence, continuing with what is now section 58.1.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Mr. Sauvageau.

[Benoît Sauvageau, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I'd very seriously like Mr. Owen to explain the real meaning of his amendment to us.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

The deep meaning....

[Stephen Owen, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

I would have to leave, Mr. Chair, the deep analysis in Mr. Sauvageau's mind to himself.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Let's have some order here. Mr. Owen has asked a question.

[Stephen Owen, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

I've answered.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

You answered yourself?

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

On G-51, page 165.

Mr. Poilievre, there's a line conflict with L-24.

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

Withdrawn.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

In NDP-21.4, page 166.1, there is a line conflict with L-24 and G-51.

Yes, Mr. Dewar?

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

It suggests that clause 225 be amended by replacing lines 31 on page 162 to line 7 on page 163 with the following...as outlined.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Are there any comments?

Yes, Mr. Dewar?

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

At this point I would like to get an opinion from the panel, not line by line of the amendment, but just in terms of what this would do to the bill in terms of enhancements.

[Joe Wild]

Mr. Chairman, I will certainly acquiesce and not do a line-by-line review.

The provision mirrors NDP-21.2, which has been defeated. So there's not much more I can say other than it would, as this stage, create an incongruous operation, because the others have already failed, and they work together as a package.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Okay.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

I'll withdraw.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

Sir, you're withdrawing that.

We're going to clause 194 to vote. That will apply to clauses 195, 197, 201, 211, 216 to 219, and 222 to 226.

(Clause 194 agreed to)

(Clause 195 agreed to)

(Clause 201 agreed to)

(Clause 211 agreed to)

(Clauses 216 to 219 inclusive agreed to)

(Clauses 222 to 226 inclusive agreed to)

(Clauses 196 and 197 agreed to)

(Clauses 198 to 200 inclusive agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, David Tilson]

We'll go to clause 212 as amended.

We haven't debated it yet. This is about the deputy commissioner. It's government amendment G-48 on page 156.

Yes, Mr. Poilievre?

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

Thank you, Chair.

I'd like to move government amendment 48. Government amendment 48 applies to clause 212, which would be amended by replacing lines 4 and 5 with the following:

may assign:

(1.2) The assignment of powers, duties and functions by the Commissioner to the Deputy Commissioner may include the delegation to the Deputy Commissioner of any of the Commissioner's powers, duties and functions, including those referred to in paragraphs 25(1)(a) to (k) and the powers in sections 36 and 37, but it may not include the delegation of the Commissioner's power or any of his or her duties in section 38.

I invite commentary from our expert panel.

[Joe Wild]

Basically, just to boil it down, what the amendment is doing is clarifying that the commissioner can assign any power, duty, or function to the deputy commissioner, except for reporting to Parliament.