Environment Committee on Aug. 19th, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

So it would be after the item where we invite the Minister of the Environment and his officials.

Could you repeat the text you are proposing?

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

We would insert the following: “Invite the Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, from the Quebec government, Mr. Benoit Charette”.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Okay. So it would read, “Invite the Minister of the Environment and officials, and the Minister”—

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

No, it would read, “the Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, from the Quebec government, Mr. Benoit Charette”.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Okay.

So we also want to invite the Quebec Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette. That is what we want to add to item a. of the second part of the motion.

Does everyone understand what Mr. Deltell wants to do?

Ms. Pauzé, you have the floor.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I would like to ask a question, as there have been times when I've asked the minister to come—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

He wouldn't come.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

He didn't want to come, that's right.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

He has the option not to come.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Okay.

Did Mr. Deltell get the minister's commitment? Have those steps already been taken?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I doubt it, but I may be wrong.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Have you ever seen me say things without checking them?

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Yes.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It didn't come from the chair, but do you think he's going to accept the invitation?

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

I think the chances are good.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Okay. In any case, he may not come.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Saying that the chances are good is a joke.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Listen, he can decline the invitation anyway. That's beyond our control. We do not want to interfere in Quebec's affairs. He will come if he wants. We can't force them to accept.

Is there agreement on this amendment?

Mr. van Koeverden, are you in agreement with bringing in—

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The motion already says that we can list anybody we would like as a witness. The Conservatives are well within their rights to invite anybody they'd like on that list.

I appreciate that perhaps the Conservatives have run out of proposed amendments and subamendments, but this one doesn't apply, because it's already captured in the original motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I think—

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

I would ask that it be deemed redundant and unnecessary. We can invite—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I won't rule it redundant. We're naming people all over the motion.

It stands as far as I'm concerned, but can we just vote on it?

We'll vote on it and then we'll vote on the entire motion, hopefully.

[An hon. member]

No, no, no.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

No? Okay, we have more amendments after, but let's get rid of this one.

(Amendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)