Environment Committee on Oct. 27th, 2010

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

Okay. I move:That the Committee continue working on the Statutory Review of the Species At Risk Act (SARA) on Mondays until it finishes providing direction to the analysts for the writing of the SARA draft report. The Committee will continue hearing from witnesses on Bill C-469—

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Ms. Duncan.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

All of the other proposals for varying our agenda have been in camera. I don't necessarily support that, but I'm just wondering why this one is being treated in a different way.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

No. If the committee wishes to go in camera, we can go in camera.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

I'm not requesting that, but I'm just saying I'm puzzled as to why this one is being treated in a different way.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Mr. Warawa, on that point of order.

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley, BC]

On that point order, Chair, I think it's important that we deal with this to find out if there is consensus to deal with SARA or are we going to be pushing SARA onto a shelf? SARA, the protection of species at risk, is important, we're close, and I think we need to spend time on it at committee. For us not to spend time on this at committee, that decision should not be made behind a closed door. I think it should be dealt with right now in an open meeting.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

I think all things should be dealt with in that way.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Okay. What I'll do is to ask for a show of hands by members wishing to go in camera.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Excuse me, Mr. Chair. Would there not have to be some kind of a motion—

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

But she had the floor and we're dealing with a point of order.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

But she did not make such a request and--

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

No, she didn't.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

--in any event, I would suggest that it's out of order when it's in the middle of a motion that is being tabled.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

At any time a point of order can be dealt with. I have to deal with a point of order as soon as it's called.

[An hon. member]

A point of order....[Inaudible--Editor]

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

No, true enough.

It is common practice and it is a point of order, but is there a request to go...? Let's get the motion on the floor. Then I'll deal with a motion to go in camera.

[An hon. member]

I don't want--

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Okay. It's up to the committee.

On a point of order, Monsieur Bigras.

[Bernard Bigras, Bloc, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

If necessary, I will make a motion. I will ask that consideration continue from this point in camera. Is the motion admissible?

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

You can, but you can't do it on a point of order. You can't move a motion for a point of order--

Mr. Holland.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

I have a motion that we go in camera.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

We have a motion to go in camera.

I gather...this is about process—

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

On a point of order, I don't think you can accept a motion when a member is in the middle of trying to table a motion.