Evidence of meeting #2 for Declaration of Emergency in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Peter Harder  Senator, Ontario, PSG
Vernon White  Senator, Ontario, CSG
Claude Carignan  Senator, Québec (Mille Isles), C
Joint Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Paul Cardegna

8 p.m.

Liberal

Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC

I'm distributing hard copies with the help of the clerk.

8 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Co-Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

Now that we all have a copy of the motion, I'll give you the floor, Ms. Bendayan.

8 p.m.

Liberal

Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'll continue with the second sentence:

...the drafter of the Emergencies Act...

8 p.m.

Senator, Québec (Mille Isles), C

Claude Carignan

Excuse me, Mr. Chair. Could I have the motion emailed to me, please?

8 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Co-Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

The clerk will send it to you, Senator Carignan.

8 p.m.

Liberal

Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC

Sorry, Senator Carignan. I think that the clerk is sending it to you now.

I'll continue with the motion.

...former Defence Minister...

8 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Co-Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

Ms. Bendayan, I think that we should wait a bit and give the clerk time to send the motion.

8 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

8 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Co-Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

One moment, please.

8 p.m.

Senator, Québec (Mille Isles), C

Claude Carignan

You can continue. I imagine that we'll receive the motion by email in the next few seconds.

8 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Co-Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

Ms. Bendayan, please wait a moment before continuing. Mr. Brock has a point of order.

8 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I require some clarification. I'm led to believe that what was distributed today on behalf of Ms. Bendayan differs in the wording from what was presented at last Tuesday's committee meeting. Unfortunately, I don't have that particular document to compare it, but I was informed by our staff that it does differ.

I'm wondering which particular amendment or which version of the motion she is proposing.

8 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Co-Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

Ms. Bendayan, is the motion that you started to read the one that you just gave us today?

8 p.m.

Liberal

Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC

That's right. I would like to provide some clarification for my colleague Mr. Brock, if I may. Otherwise, I can continue to read the motion.

8 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Co-Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

Yes, you can clarify that.

8 p.m.

Liberal

Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC

May I stop reading the motion?

8 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Co-Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

Yes, you can provide the necessary clarifications.

8 p.m.

Liberal

Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC

To clarify, Mr. Brock, what has changed in the motion circulated and now before you is simply the one and a half hours for each panel of witnesses, because between last meeting and today, it is my understanding that we have now, through all whips and Senate staff, agreed to three-hour meetings. I believe that is the only change you will find between the two versions and it reflects a matter of timing.

8 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Co-Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

Mr. Brock, are you in agreement with our working from the motion we have before us?

8 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

That's fine.

Thank you.

8 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Co-Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

Mr. Green, you raised your hand. Do you have a point of order or can we let Ms. Bendayan read the motion before we discuss it?

8 p.m.

NDP

The Joint Chair NDP Matthew Green

It's stemming from a point of order. I don't have to make it a point of order, but in the original motion, it does state in the second portion of it, as I am to read here, that former defence minister Perrin Beatty be invited to appear before the committee alongside other witnesses and that's absent.

I just wonder, in contemplation of the previous discussion we had around outside counsel, if this might be where our first conversation around outside counsel would be included. If that's the case, I can see this turning into a much longer discussion, because now we're going to have to identify and engage outside counsel.

I think that's the debate to be had. If it's the opinion of members around the counsel that we would strictly allow the terms of this committee to be defined by the people who are outlined by the mover of the motion and not contemplate outside counsel, that might have cause for further debate.

8:05 p.m.

Bloc

The Joint Co-Chair Bloc Rhéal Fortin

Do you want to speak to this point of order, Mr. Motz?

8:05 p.m.

Liberal

Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC

Mr. Chair, I'm not sure that was a point of order, but I'm happy to answer it if that's helpful.

8:05 p.m.

NDP

The Joint Chair NDP Matthew Green

It is a point of order, because it's not the same.