Evidence of meeting #19 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Maurice Vellacott Conservative Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK
I have a point of order. It was pertaining to me, and I think you would want to give me at least an opportunity to respond.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Maurice Vellacott Conservative Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK
With due respect, Mr. Chair, to your point about not knowing in the House whether a member standing there says he hasn't yet decided--
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Maurice Vellacott Conservative Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK
The answer is very different in this place. In fact, when they're in the House standing, there's no abstention; there's no wonderment. He's standing on his feet to indicate he's yea or nay on the motion. It's not an issue of his standing to ask, because by token of being on his feet, he is indicating whether he is for or against whatever the call has been. There's no ambiguity about that.
We sit in our seats here. The big difference is that when you are passed over because you don't stand, that's an abstention. But here we're on the record with an oral indication. I think it's very different, with due respect, Mr. Chair.
A person on his feet in the House would never say, “I need more time.” It would contradict the very fact of his being on his feet. He is on his feet for a reason, and that's to indicate yes or no in respect to the question that is before the House. That's why it's very different here.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
In answer to that, I could easily, at the end, do a point of order to the Speaker and say, “Well, I was sitting, and I didn't really mean to sit, but I just wanted to think about it longer.” I'm almost certain that I would lose that argument.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Maurice Vellacott Conservative Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK
Exactly, and that's where the difference is in context between here and there.
As well, Mr. Chair, I don't know that in terms of the ruling we got from on high here.... I requested more time to ponder and reflect on this in consultation, and so on--which I've done--and as Mr. Harvey rightly said, you passed over rather quickly without giving him the due respect of time he needed.
I am ready to make my decision and indicate my vote on the matter. I don't know if that was ruled on by those higher up, because the vote was not yet completed. It went around to here, and then it should have come back to me to ask if I had--
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
I think your name was clearly called, and you did not vote. Therefore, you didn't vote.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Maurice Vellacott Conservative Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK
I hadn't made up my mind at that point and so indicated. By the time the other members called yea and nay, and I had made up my mind. I think it would only be fair, and the clerk may in fact confirm that. It's not going back to the vote; you didn't complete the vote.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, we're using the principles of the House now, the policy and procedure of the House. Seek, if you would, unanimous consent to have Mr. Vellacott's vote recorded as supporting the chair.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON
Filibuster, thy name is Vellacott. We are being filibustered here, Mr. Chair. If the Conservative members want to challenge your ruling, they should do so.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Maurice Vellacott Conservative Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK
When a vote has gone to all the existing parties in the House, isn't it a question that if somebody else was not up at the time and he wants his vote recorded, he simply stands up--
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Maurice Vellacott Conservative Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK
I don't need unanimous consent. In the House, there is no unanimous consent.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Maurice Vellacott Conservative Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK
A person can simply stand up at the end and say, “Mr. Speaker” at that point--
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Maurice Vellacott Conservative Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK
Mr. Mills, in the House what happens at that point is the member stands on his feet, and that indicates that--
4:45 p.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Chair, if Mr. Vellacott would like to challenge you, he may.
Excuse me, Mr. Vellacott, I have the floor.