Evidence of meeting #116 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
It is understood that he can be accompanied by his officials, and the meeting minutes will specify that we agree on that.
Can we go to a vote?
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
No. I'm sorry, Mr. Chair.
I support the proposal made by Mr. Berthold and by you, but I would remind you that the committee will be holding four meetings, so I don't want to impose a time limit on the minister. I would remove “within seven days of the motion being adopted”. We can simply say that we want him to appear when he is available.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Okay.
Mr. Drouin is proposing a subamendment to remove “within seven days of the motion being adopted”.
Can we vote on that?
Liberal
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC
Mr. Chair, if I understand correctly, we would delete “independently within seven days”—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
We've already agreed to delete “independently”. Mr. Berthold agreed to remove that because it did not clarify matters. So we have to vote on deleting “within seven days”.
Can we start the vote?
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Mr. Chair, I would like to raise a point.
I say this with all due respect for the entire team, but, unfortunately, this committee has had some issues in the past with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change appearing or not appearing. I say this with great respect for the entire team, which works hard, but sincerely, if we don't put “within seven days”, he will come in six months, if he still remembers. It has happened all too often. We find that unfortunate.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Okay.
Can we vote on deleting “within seven days”?
(Subamendment agreed to: yeas 7; nays 4)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Can we now vote on the amendment as amended, that is, without the words “independently” and “within seven days”?
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Mr. Chair, I think we can reach a compromise.
I've had the opportunity to speak with members on the other side of the table. It seems to me that, if we invited the minister to appear within 14 days of the motion being adopted, that would satisfy everyone. We would be happy, we would be able to come to an agreement, and that would ensure the minister's presence.
Liberal
Conservative
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Okay. Time is running out, and I'm trying to rush this.
Mr. Deltell has a subamendment to Mr. Berthold's amendment. We have already removed “within seven days” and he would like to add “within 14 days”. Is that correct?
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.
I'm wondering how many times we can go over the same subject. We have just dealt with the time frame of the minister's appearance. But we are coming back to that again. If we keep doing it, the meeting will not move forward at all. We—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
We're not going back to the words “within seven days”. This time, it's about inviting the minister to appear “within 14 days”.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
That's right, but I just deleted the words “seven days”.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Yes, but we're no longer talking about a seven-day time frame. We're not going back to the words “within seven days”.
Mr. Deltell is proposing to add “within 14 days”. Apparently, an agreement was reached somewhere in the hallways.
Go ahead, Mrs. Chatel.
Liberal
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC
A consultation will end on September 15. Obviously, the issue is important, and if we invite the minister, he will come within the time frame.
I don't know what you're afraid of. I am not at all worried.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Mr. Deltell is withdrawing his subamendment.
Can we vote on the amendment to remove the words “independently” and “within seven days”?
(Amendment as amended agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Can we now vote on the motion as amended?
Mr. Deltell, you have the floor.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Mr. Chair, I would like to move an amendment.
I would like to add the following words: “Invite the Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, from the Quebec government, Mr. Benoit Charette”.
Conservative