Evidence of meeting #41 for Canadian Heritage in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was apology.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
The way I see it, Mr. Chair, this motion is out of order if it is written in only one language and there is no paper copy. I will definitely vote against it.
Furthermore, I will do the same thing the Conservatives are doing in the House, in other words, I will raise a point of order saying they are moving motions in English only and do not even want to give us a hard copy in French.
Liberal
Conservative
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
The context of this is that I've only just written the subamendment, based on--
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
I apologize, but my privilege as a member is to be able to communicate at this committee.
Liberal
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
It's based on evidence brought at the committee that I brought this subamendment.
I apologize to all members that I cannot write in French.
Conservative
Liberal
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
It is not a lack of respect. It was given verbally, and the clerks are providing French translation of everything I'm saying. We will have the motion properly scripted for the next committee meeting.
This is common. I've been on committees now for almost four years in this House. I have often proposed amendments in English during clause-by-clause. It has never been raised that I needed to bring that subamendment or amendment in both languages.
I apologize. I don't have the ability, just like Mr. Gourde—
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
—does not have the ability to bring an amendment in English. But I would respect his ability to bring an amendment, as I would respect any member in this House to have the ability to bring an amendment—
Bloc
Conservative
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
It is a verbal subamendment. No one has received a copy, other than my counsel, who is looking at the document right now to see whether it is justified or not. So there has been no distribution in English. It has just been made. The translation must have come through to you on what Mr. Del Mastro put forward.
That has been done.
Mr. Angus.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It has been the practice of this committee, since I've been on this committee, that when we are going clause-by-clause through a bill, someone can bring forward an amendment. It is brought forward to the chair, read out, and either agreed upon or not.
I think the problem is that we're down to three minutes and 30 seconds left on the clock, and we had to sit through Mr. Calandra's entire history of apologies going back to Sophocles. The opposition is wondering what's going on, because the clock is ticking down. I am serious about dealing with the amendments. That's why I asked Mr. Calandra about three times if he had the language.
So certainly on this side there's a great deal of skepticism, but I think Mr. Del Mastro is within his rights as a member to bring forward something, even if it was at 11 hours and 59 minutes...three seconds to midnight.
December 3rd, 2009 / 12:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
Okay.
It has been explained to me that there has to be some work....
Madame Lavallée.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
It means that if you do move to vote, I will vote against the subamendment because I do not have a paper copy in French. I will vote against it, no matter what it says.
Conservative
