Evidence of meeting #40 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 amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Welcome back, everyone, to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-10. This is meeting number 40.
(On clause 7)
As you know from the last meeting, we left off with amendment PV-21.1.
Ms. McPherson, you have your hand up. Is there something I can address?
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I was just very interested in seeing if there was a way we could move forward and look at the motion I brought forward last time. I know that we do need to finish on the Green Party amendment that we discussed for two straight hours last meeting, and I'm certainly hopeful that we don't go through that again today and that we actually can continue to work to improve this proposed legislation.
I would like to propose that we take the vote on that Green Party amendment and that we move on to the motion I have tabled, if that's at all possible, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Okay, just for everyone's edification, the motion has been deemed moved by Mr. Manly. The motion is from what we call an independent or unrecognized party, which, in this case, is the Parti Vert, the Green Party. That is what we're discussing right now because it is deemed moved.
I was committed to you, Ms. McPherson, last time with regard to doing your motion, and you have the same commitment in this meeting, that once we deal with amendment PV-21.1, we will discuss your motion that you want to put forward.
Monsieur Rayes.
You have to lower your boom, sir. There you are.
Conservative
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. My apologies. It's Monday morning.
My concerns are similar to those of Ms. McPherson. To keep things moving along, so as not to slow down the committee's work, I would like the clerk to send out to the committee members the amendments I or someone from the party emailed her. At the last meeting, she asked me for the reference numbers. Mr. Chair, may I give her the reference numbers now, or should I wait until Mr. Manly's and Ms. McPherson's amendments have been dealt with and it is my turn? I want to make sure I have an opportunity to move my amendments.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
How about you let the clerk know what the reference numbers are, and that way when we get to them, we can be that much more efficient.
Conservative
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Madam Clerk, the amendments are CPC‑9.2 to CPC‑9.6. You should have five. If we didn't mix them up, they should be in order.
The reference numbers are 11342583, 11323641, 11323725, 11326200 and 11325014.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. That should help move things along. The amendments will be sent out to everyone when it's my turn. They concern clause 7 of the bill. If you accept them, the committee will discuss the amendments once we arrive at the appropriate provisions in our clause‑by clause study.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I just want to clarify, Mr. Chair. Mr. Rayes asked that I send the motion to the clerk, but the clerk has already received it and sent it to the members, so I'm not exactly sure what he'd like me to send.
Could we get some clarity?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Yes, that was my understanding as well. The clerk could probably send it once more. I believe you're talking about both motions.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
The one I wanted to talk about most was the first motion I had sent out about sitting during July and August. Both were sent out last week, so I think all committee members should have both of those motions.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
That was my understanding as well.
If anybody does not have the motions from Ms. McPherson, they should let the clerk know so they can receive a copy.
That being said, I don't see anybody up right now.
As I mentioned, we are on PV-21.1, an amendment put forward by Mr. Manly. We will pick up the discussion where we left off. We are still in clause-by-clause. I don't see anyone who wishes to speak to it.
Now that debate has collapsed, that brings us to our vote.
(Amendment negatived: nays 11; yeas 0 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
This now brings us to the end of clause 7. It seems like only yesterday we had just begun on clause 7.
Mr. Méla.
Philippe Méla Legislative Clerk
The amendment that Mr. Rayes just sent us is on clause 7.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Oh, I see. Maybe I spoke too soon.
It appears we have an amendment that was just sent in.
Mr. Méla, can you tell me the number, please?
Legislative Clerk
It would be CPC-9.2, but it doesn't have that number. I can give you the reference number if you prefer.
The last digit of the reference number would be 2583. I believe that's what Mr. Rayes just indicated.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Is everybody ready to proceed with debate or do people have questions? I see some nodding heads.
Mr. Housefather.
Liberal
Liberal
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Perhaps I could raise my motion in the meantime, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Yes. Actually, I did commit to you that we would do that. I thought we were ending with clause 7, but we were not ending with clause 7.
With all due respect to Mr. Rayes, I did commit to Ms. McPherson that I would get to her motion. It appears we're going to get to the motion.
Before I do that, though, I want to check with the clerk. Does anyone have any more questions about what was put forward by Mr. Rayes?
Mr. Rayes, go ahead.
Conservative
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Chair, I was just going to say that we would graciously agree to let Ms. McPherson move her amendment first. I don't think it impacts my amendments to clause 7.
If you would like her to go ahead , I have no problem with that since she did ask first.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Ms. McPherson's on a motion, but okay.
Not seeing any questions, we're going to go to Ms. McPherson.
You have the floor.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I brought forward a motion last week for this committee because I am quite concerned that we are not progressing through Bill C-10 at the rate that I think we all want to. I hope that everybody on this committee is interested in making sure that we get the very best piece of legislation that we possibly can at the end of this clause-by-clause process, and that we are all being very propositional to add amendments to try to make this the very best legislation we can, which will protect the Canadian broadcasting landscape, protect Canadian artists and our cultural sector, which is vitally important, and also ensure that Canadians' freedom of expression is protected.
I want to be as propositional as I can. I want to work with all committee members to make this happen. I know it's extremely important legislation. As we know, it has not been updated in 30 years and it's well overdue.
I know there are times during July and August that we are unable to sit, and I do also realize that this would mean we would be sitting, in person, in Ottawa, but I would like to propose that the committee take the decision to sit into July and August to ensure that we have time to complete this work. I think that allocating to stop the debate and to stop the conversation on Bill C-10 would cause a lot of problems, because we won't have had time to go through the important amendments that I know all parties are putting forward.
That said, I also think that filibustering and not letting us get this work done is also a mistake. This gives us a little bit more space, a little bit more runway to get a good piece of legislation.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
That's what I would like to propose. That's what I would like my motion to be.
