Evidence of meeting #23 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.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Normand Radford

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC

So speaking to clause 10?

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Bob Mills

And speaking to clause 10.

Mr. Cullen, are you wishing to speak about the ruling we've just made?

3:45 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

No. I think the point of today's discussion is to actually see this committee perform its function and get to work. We have heard from many witnesses. We've heard from Canadians who would like this Parliament to establish a clear direction forward for climate change.

There hasn't been a single validator in the country who has supported the Conservative government's so-called plan. What Bill C-377 establishes is a framework that will require government—not “may”, not “maybe not”, but will finally require government—to meet obligations set in law. And to not do so would be breaking the law.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Bob Mills

I think, Mr. Cullen, really you're speaking to the amendment that has been withdrawn.

3:45 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

No, I'm speaking to clause 10.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Bob Mills

Then let's get a speaking list, which I've begun, and certainly I would give you the opportunity to talk about that.

3:45 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Yes.

Clause 10 finally calls for the accountability of government. As this clause has been amended, it strengthens the transparency of what it is Canadians can learn about climate change.

The government has shown in previous meetings—five of them so far, with the last one running many hours—and seems prepared again today to delay—

3:45 p.m.

An hon. member

I have a point of order, Mr. Chairman.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Bob Mills

Mr. Cullen, again, can I put you on the speaking list and have you—

3:45 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

You recognized me, Chair; that's what I thought the order was.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Bob Mills

Well, I recognized you, basically, on the motion that I gave the option for, and I believed you were going to speak about the option. But that's been withdrawn. Therefore we're now talking about clause 10 and ultimately, hopefully, are going to vote on clause 10 as amended.

Right now I have on the speaking list Mr. Warawa, so I'm going to cede the floor to him. I'll put you on the speaking list, and we'll ultimately get to you as well, Mr. Cullen.

Mr. McGuinty, is this just to seek a clarification?

April 1st, 2008 / 3:45 p.m.

Liberal

David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON

It's just a clarification.

Could the clerk help us understand? If Mr. Warawa was next on the speaking list, who is next, Mr. Chair, on the list?

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Bob Mills

The people who have put their hands up to speak are Mr. Warawa, Mr. Vellacott, Mr. Harvey, and Mr. Watson, and now Mr. Cullen.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON

Could the clerk tell us now, for Canadians who are watching, exactly how many hours without stop the opposition has been officially filibustering this meeting? Can he tell us how many hours these four members of Parliament have been dominating this discussion by reading notes? It speaks to the question of order and process.

I'd like to get an idea whether or not, Mr. Chair—

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Bob Mills

Any member can get on this list. It's a matter of firing your hand up.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON

How many hours, Mr. Chair?

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Bob Mills

Well, I was here until at least 9:30 or a quarter to 10 last night, from 3:30.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON

So how many hours have the government members been speaking without stop?

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Bob Mills

I don't have that at my fingertips, but I really don't think it's.... We should get on to clause 10.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON

I'm just trying to get a sense of order of speaking here, Mr. Chair. I'm on a point of order now, and it speaks to the question of whether or not, for example, all the other members of this committee should walk out of this room now and let the MPs for the government continue to speak into the camera.

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Bob Mills

Well, we need seven members in order to conduct a vote, and it can be any seven members who are here, to have a quorum.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON

Then through you, Mr. Chair, could you ask the government members whether they intend to speak without stop until May 7 when this bill is to be reported back to the House of Commons, or are they actually going to—

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Bob Mills

Mr. McGuinty, I doubt very much that they have that sort of game plan. I would hope that we're—

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON

Could we ask them, Mr. Chair?

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Bob Mills

I would hope we're going to get on and deal with.... I would like to get Bill C-377 done with. We have many more things that we could be discussing.