Canadian Heritage Committee on Oct. 19th, 2010

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Yes, to clause 2?

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

The clause that now reads: “[...] the third Saturday in September”?

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Yes.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

I'm not sure if it is part of clause 2, but the heading reads “National Heritage Day.”

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Oh, I'm sorry. My apologies: we're on the preamble.

Go ahead.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

The bill's preamble refers to An Act respecting a National Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Heritage Day. The word “national” also appears elsewhere in the bill. I don't intend to move an amendment to each clause in which the word appears. I simply want to remind you that you voted to recognize the existence of the nation of Quebec. That said, perhaps it isn't completely appropriate to use the word “national“. It could cause some confusion. Deleting the word wouldn't change anything. People would still mark the occasion on the third Saturday in September and everybody would be happy.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Un moment, s'il vous plaît.

Okay. I'm going to rule the amendment out of order, because we've adopted clauses 2 and 3, which incorporate the word “national”. So unless the committee wants to overrule the chair again, I'm not going to allow the amendment to be put.

Is it the wish of the committee to overrule the chair again?

Mr. Norlock? You don't have a vote here, but you can--

[Rick Norlock, Conservative, Northumberland—Quinte West, ON]

I'm fully aware--

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

You can only do that once a session.

[Rick Norlock, Conservative, Northumberland—Quinte West, ON]

I'm fully aware that I don't have a vote, but perhaps I can bridge a gap here.

In Quebec, it's a national hunting and fishing heritage day. In Canada, it's a national fishing and hunting heritage day. So I guess what I'm saying is that it can work to your advantage, if you wish, in Quebec or the rest of Canada. You can't say that it's a “national national” and say it twice, so I guess if you want to be literal and specific, you can say it works in Quebec because Quebec is a nation within Canada. So it's a national hunting and fishing and heritage day in Quebec.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Mr. Norlock.

Monsieur Rodriguez and then Monsieur Pomerleau.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Thank you. May I speak, even though Mr. Bagnell is substituting for me today?

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Yes. You just can't vote.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Fine.

With all due respect, Madame Lavallée, I don't think we should spend too much time debating this point. Quebec has been recognized as a nation within the nation of Canada. We could also talk about the Acadian nation or about Canada's first nations and the debate could go on forever.

However, I think the meaning here is clear to Quebeckers. With all due respect, the only party that is confused about the meaning is the Bloc Québécois. The meaning is quite clear, and I do not think any amendments are warranted.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Monsieur Pomerleau.

[Roger Pomerleau, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

I disagree.

[A voice]

Come on!

[Roger Pomerleau, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

I really do. We're clear on the meaning of the word “national.” We know that Quebec is a nation. There is no confusion on our part. We know exactly what we are.

When a bill is tabled, we are receiving some recognition from the other nation as well. We cannot put forward a bill and tell people that they will recognize themselves in that piece of legislation. When the Prime Minister recognized us as a nation, he was the one who took the initiative to do so, not us. We know that we are a nation. Theoretically, we do not need the Prime Minister to tell us that, but it is important that he recognize our nation status. So then, when a bill that is tabled refers to a nation, it is important that our nation status also be recognized.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

We're debating the preamble, as amended.

I'll go to Mr. Del Mastro, and then Mr. Angus.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

I'd like to suggest that since nobody is actually challenging the chair on his ruling, which I think is correct, we shouldn't entertain a lot of debate unless they want to challenge the chair. Then we can have a vote and kill the thing.

I suggest that “national” speaks to Canada as a nation, of which Quebec is a part, which we all appreciate. As many of us come from many different parts of the country, we are all one nation.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Mr. Del Mastro.

Mr. Angus.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I'll be quick, because I have such great respect for my colleague, Madame Lavallée.

She has three motions and she has almost talked the clock out on the potential to get to those three motions, so call the question.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Mr. Bagnell, go ahead.

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Sorry, it's on the preamble.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Yes, we are on debate on the preamble as amended.