Environment Committee on Nov. 22nd, 2011

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Centre-North, AB]

On a point of order, don't we discuss committee scheduling in camera?

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

I'd like to make a motion to go in camera, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Mark Warawa]

We've received a motion to go in camera to deal with the motion.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Chair, with all due respect, this isn't about scheduling. It is very common practice to have this kind of discussion in public. I accept the motion to go in camera--I'd asked for a vote on it--but I hope we can resolve it otherwise.

[The Chair, Conservative, Mark Warawa]

We had a motion, and Ms. Leslie had the floor. We've had a point of order.

Your point of order is noted, but Ms. Leslie still has the floor. Until she has given up the floor, she has this opportunity to make her motion.

If we want to have a subsequent motion that we go in camera, I would entertain that, but at this point, Ms. Leslie has the floor.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Thank you.

I believe people have copies of my motion in front of them. Certainly it was sent via e-mail. I move as follows:That the Committee invite the Minister of the Environment to appear before the Committee, no later than on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, to discuss the Supplementary Estimates (B) 2011-12; that the Minister's opening statement not exceed ten (10) minutes; and that the Minister's appearance be televised.

That is the motion as it was circulated. I put forward this motion because it's standard to have the minister appear to be questioned about supplementary estimates.

I would also note that on December 10, all committees need to send the estimates, as voted on, back to the House. So we do have a time restriction here. Hopefully this will be something the minister can do, since we do deal with estimates on a regular basis. He knows that committee is on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so hopefully this will work out.

[The Chair, Conservative, Mark Warawa]

Thank you, Ms. Leslie.

Ms. Ambler, you now have the floor.

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

Can I put forward a motion to go in camera at this point?

[The Chair, Conservative, Mark Warawa]

You can.

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

Okay. Then I'd like to do that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Mark Warawa]

So what you're doing is amending the motion, that this be dealt with in...?

It's a dilatory motion, which is non-debatable, and therefore we'll call the question.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Chair, could I ask that it be a recorded vote?

[The Chair, Conservative, Mark Warawa]

That would be fine.

(Motion agreed to: yeas 6; nays 5)

[The Chair, Conservative, Mark Warawa]

So we will move in camera.

[Proceedings continue in camera]