Environment Committee on Aug. 30th, 2024

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Yes. I would like to move that Minister Guilbeault and officials appear before this committee regarding the caribou study and the emergency decree before September 15, before the expiry—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Is that a motion?

I don't see anyone who wants to debate the motion. Can we vote on the motion?

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Sure.

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Was that motion tabled in both official languages?

We did not even get it. I'm sorry, but this was done on the fly.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

It's regarding today's topic, so I think I can move it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

We need it in both official languages.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

I just did it on the fly. It's regarding the topic of today's meeting, so I can absolutely—

[Mario Simard, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Chair, it's a matter of the rules.

I will not vote blindly like this at the end of a meeting on the whims of some who want a good news clip. Let's be a little more serious, please.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Do you not want the minister here?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

One moment, please.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Since we have interpreters here, Mr. Leslie can move his motion verbally. Then, obviously, the interpreters will interpret it, so I think he has the right to do that. I'm proposing that we simply vote on it.

[Mario Simard, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Chair, there is still the matter of the rules.

The motion to undertake this study indicates that the committee wants to hear from the minister.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes, we agree on that.

[Mario Simard, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

We agree on that. Why move another motion—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It's because he wants the minister to appear sooner.

[Mario Simard, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

You see. That is the joy of translation, because—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes, I understand.

The member wants the minister to appear before Parliament resumes, and from what I've heard, he will likely come and see us on September 18. That is not what Mr. Leslie wants, so he moved a motion. I am therefore proposing that we vote on that motion.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Chair, I am rising on a point of order.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Chair, can we debate the motion?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes, we can debate it if you wish—

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

I'm rising on a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Mr. Boulerice.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

I'm very uncomfortable with the fact that having the interpretation is suddenly enough for both official languages to be respected in committee. I have never seen that before. If that were the case, there would be no obligation to send motions—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Apparently, that's the rule. We didn't just make it up. You can object to it, but that's the rule.

Mr. Martel wants to speak to Mr. Leslie's motion.