Evidence of meeting #36 for Canadian Heritage in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was subamendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
The Clerk
Mr. Rayes, can you read the reference number of the amendment, please, so that I can make sure to send the correct amendment to the committee members?
Conservative
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
I gather that my colleagues haven't received it yet. I'm sorry. I thought that they had.
Madam Clerk, I just found the reference number. I'll give it to you right away. It's 11322751. Does this reference number match the one that you have? I'm sorry. I didn't understand your request earlier.
I want to apologize to you, my colleagues, because you haven't received the amendment in both languages. I can practise by reading it to you in English, if you want.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
No, that's okay. Right now we have to have a discussion about this.
Folks, there are a couple of things at play here. Obviously, I need to confer with the legislative clerk to discuss the motion and the text of it. I'm sure that comes as no surprise. However, we are now one minute over our scheduled time.
Do you have a point of order, Mr. Housefather?
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Chair, I put my hand up but I think this is more a point of order, if you'll allow me.
While I totally appreciate Mr. Rayes's right to propose whatever amendment he wants, there are a number of amendments sequentially in the package that come before line 14 on page 8, including BQ-23, which is the next amendment. Mr. Rayes's amendment cannot be moved now. It should be moved at the appropriate time in the package.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Mr. Housefather, honestly, we're going to discuss that right now and we'll get back to you. Thank you for your points of consideration.
Okay, folks, we have a couple of things. Mr. Housefather just had a question. I want to settle that point—as to whether we can debate this or not, or where it belongs—before we get into a debate. I'm going to have to break for a few moments. I know we're overdue and usually it's implied consent. However, I really would like to put that to rest before we break off today.
Let's suspend for a few moments. Watch for my screen. I'll come back onscreen when we're ready to reconvene. Thank you. It'll be just a few moments.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
I apologize. I wanted us to have a look at it in writing before we placed judgment on this.
As far as the actual amendments are concerned, or the purpose of what you're doing, you may be right on target, but you're wide of the mark. You're going to have to wait, sir, is what I'm trying to tell you. As you know, it is common practice for us to take this all in sequential order by clause. What we're saying to you is.... This is what I mean by saying that your amendments are fine, but they just found a wrong home.
What I can suggest to you is that there's nothing wrong with doing amendments from the floor, as I'm sure you all know. However, you may want to try, for the sake of guidance, following BQ-25. That might be the right place for what it is you hope to do. What I am proposing.... I understand what you're saying. You've put it in the right church; you've just selected the wrong pew. After BQ-25, if you wish to make a motion from the floor, you can.
That being said, we normally do not debate any rulings from the chair—I shouldn't say “normally”; we don't. However, there is a remedy by which, if you don't agree with me, you can do so.
What I have to do right now is move on to the speakers list, following the ruling. Folks, I am assuming.... I do have a speakers list. We just finished G-11.1 as amended. Mr. Rayes proposed something that I have to rule out of order, or may I say out of place. Now we move on.
Mr. Champoux.
Bloc
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
Mr. Chair, I just want to clarify one thing. You said that we must proceed. What's the next step?
I want to make sure that we don't let the motion on the table fall through the cracks. Actually, I think that I would prefer that you let Mr. Rayes speak and then take the floor.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Normally at this point I would move to the next one after G-11.1, which is BQ-23. That is the next one in line after the ruling I just made. However, the clock shows that we are seven minutes over time, which means that under normal circumstances we would say we would pick it up at BQ-23 at the next meeting. However, I don't want to shut it down right away without concerns being addressed.
Mr. Champoux, did you want to speak further?
I'll go to Mr. Rayes.
Conservative
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I gather that I can't move the amendment now. However, could you confirm that, once we've addressed amendments BQ-23, CPC-9 and BQ-25, my amendment will then be considered? Does everyone on the committee agree with that?
I just want to make sure that I have unanimous consent on this and thereby give you, Mr. Chair, the great opportunity to let us return to our respective constituencies during the parliamentary break week.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Yes, exactly. I'm not supposed to, but with the committee's indulgence, I will further the comments from the ruling, which is to say that, yes, after BQ-25 would be the appropriate place for you to accomplish what it is you want to accomplish—the right church, not necessarily the right pew. You have to wait for a few moments.
Okay, I see nobody else who wishes to speak. Is it safe to say that draws to a conclusion today's meeting?
I want to thank everyone for a good day, a good discussion.
Just a reminder, Monday is a holiday. It's called May Two-Four, but that's not really appropriate, is it? It's Victoria Day weekend, folks, and I want to wish you all a wonderful weekend.
We will not be having a meeting on Monday, as it is May 24. We'll meet next Friday, but just a reminder, we are still under a motion passed on March 26 that asks us to find extra meetings or extra hours. I will make sure that I give you enough notice. If they tell us at noon that we have a room open at 3 p.m., obviously I'm not going to call a meeting with three hours' notice. But with an ample amount of notice, I will call a meeting if we manage to get a room or extra hours.
That being said, you must be sick of hearing me by now, so I'm just going to say, have a great weekend, everybody, and we'll see you next Friday.