Canadian Heritage Committee on May 31st, 2016

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We have heard that, but we now have a motion on the floor—

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

The member is repeating himself. Can we call the question?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

I am speaking to that motion.

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Again and again. It's repetition, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

The Chair is suggesting that we have heard Mr. Van Loan—

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Well, I have not finished—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We have heard him speak. You are repeating yourself, Mr. Van Loan, and this is repetitious—

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

I am not. I would like to discuss the witnesses that I would like to bring.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Would you like to give us the names of those witnesses now?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

I would like to discuss some of them—

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Madam Chair, he's repeating. We've heard from him. Can we move on to the question?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

We're still in the process here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Mr. Van Loan, with all due respect, I would like you to submit those witnesses now if you have them, and we shall call the question on this motion.

This question does not have anything to do with witnesses currently. The motion on the floor has no mention of witnesses. Your motion, or your original challenge to the chair, was actually voted against.

This motion is on the table, and I'm calling the vote now. You can give us your list of witnesses afterwards.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Madam Chair—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Now, all those in favour?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

—I would like to continue to discuss this. While I have the floor, you cannot have a vote in the middle of my comments, and the fact is—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I am ruling you out of order, Mr. Van Loan.

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Well, you may rule me out of order, but that's entirely inappropriate. You are shutting down a democratic process on something about Canada's national symbols. You are shutting down a democratic process, Madam Chair, on something that is significant to millions of people, and the consequence of doing this—

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Are we done, Madam Chair?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

—is not just to deny me my right to speak here—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Order. Order, please.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

—the consequence is to deny the right of other Canadians who care about their symbols the opportunity to have their perspective heard. There is no legitimacy in a process whereby they cannot be heard.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Mr. Van Loan, on a point of order, you have continued to make the same point. Everyone has heard you and voted you down on this issue.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Madam Chair, you said we have a right to bring witnesses.