Environment Committee on June 7th, 2021

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC]

No.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Okay—

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC]

Mr. Chair, I have had my hand up for—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

When you ask for unanimous consent, there is no debate, but go ahead now.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC]

Mr. Chair, I was going to say how we proceed with this. As I said earlier, there is a process that we have done, and you may want to take this feedback to other committee chairs to make sure that if this does happen again in another case. Perhaps there could be a motion so that it can changed and ratified.

I believe we can have a very brief discussion on each one, but I think it's important for people to feel heard. There were many people who came forward who expressed their support for something like Madam May's amendments, and I think that she deserves an up or down....

We will not tie that process up, but I think it's important for this committee to be able to stand and be accountable to the Canadian public in this, because many people who came to the committee asked for much of what Ms. May said.

I may disagree with elements of it, but I believe in accountability and I believe that people need to be heard. That would be the best way for us to carry forward in this case.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Okay.

We are still on amendment PV-25.

Is this a point of order?

Is this a point of order, Ms. Pauzé?

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Yes, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

You have the floor.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

If I remember correctly, last week, I decided not to move amendment BQ‑10 in an effort to support amendment BQ‑11. I dropped it. However, I don't recall that we needed unanimous consent.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The reason is that you sit on the committee as a member of a recognized party in the House. The Green Party isn't recognized in the same way. That's the difference.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Okay.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

We are at Ms. May's amendment.

Ms. May, do you want to speak to it, or do you just want to remain silent and let others speak to it?

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

I think I've been very clear.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

You have, yes.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

I wish to have all seven amendments withdrawn.

My previous experience in other committees is, once I suggest that, they were deemed moved and then they're deemed not moved by the same imaginary hand.

I appreciate Mr. Albas's support, but the amendments being put to a vote for Madam Pauzé.... Maybe some of them will pass. Just to disprove for those who might be watching, what we are witnessing here, which is a very anti-democratic decision in advance to fail to actually consider amendments. That's not what clause-by-clause is supposed to be like.

Mr. Chair, if you can help me here, my Green Party amendments, PV-25 to PV-31, should just be removed from the package.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I'm trying to help. I've been told by the legislative clerks—

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

I think the legislative clerks.... I'm surprised by their ruling. I'll put it that way.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Two legislative clerks have told me this.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

I'm surprised by their ruling.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I understand but—

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

I do not wish to speak to any of these amendments, and I urge you not to vote on them. I urge you to set them aside and move on.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Mr. Bachrach, do you want to speak to PV-25, or do you have a point of order?

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

I'm wondering if I could ask for clarification, Mr. Chair.

Along the lines of what Ms. May has mentioned, could you indicate to us if it would be in order for a member of the committee to bring forward a motion that would remove those amendments from consideration?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I don't think so, but let me check.

Actually, colleagues, we have the extra hour today.

Madam Clerk, did we start at 3:44?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Angela Crandall]

Yes, we started at 3:44.