Evidence of meeting #25 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was vehicles.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Eric St-Pierre Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
On a few occasions, there has been pretty loud discussion. I think we can all hear each other quite well, so I would just ask that we maybe calm our voices. I don't have as loud a voice as some other members, but just be mindful.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Angelo Iacono
Thank you. It's noted.
Let's be joyful.
Talking about joy, Mr. Fanjoy, go ahead.
Liberal
Bruce Fanjoy Liberal Carleton, ON
Thank you.
It's noteworthy that my esteemed Conservative colleagues were talking about security. I think it's worth pointing out, and I thank the minister for pointing out, the disconnect between their words and their deeds.
First of all, addressing climate change is a national security matter. Second, their leader is unique among leaders of all federal parties in Parliament in not having his top security clearance, a subject on which I have recently sponsored a petition. The initiator of the petition is a Canadian in the riding of Carleton, a retired member of the RCMP who in his career specialized in national security investigations.
Conservative
Carol Anstey Conservative Long Range Mountains, NL
I have a point of order, Chair.
This is important work. We get the minister for a very limited amount of time. I don't understand how this is relevant to the work of this committee. It's highly political. It's taking up time when the minister is here and could be addressing some real concerns related to the work of this committee. I don't appreciate the banter.
I would just ask that we return to the important work of the committee.
Liberal
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Angelo Iacono
Before you do your point of order, can you respond to her point of order? Do you have a response to it?
Is that the way it works?
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Angelo Iacono
Do you want me to decide on the point of order? Is that what you're asking the chair? You didn't ask the chair, so I figured—
Conservative
Conservative
Carol Anstey Conservative Long Range Mountains, NL
I can address it through the chair; that's not a problem.
Chair, I don't see the relevance. I think it's political banter, and there is important work this committee has to do. I'm just asking what it has to do with the work of this committee, given the fact that the minister is here. We've requested several times that she come. She is finally here, and now this is just a back-and-forth that the Liberal member wants to have.
That's all.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Angelo Iacono
Your comment is noted. I understand where you're coming from. I was also once sitting on that side and raising those kinds of comments, and made many other comments that were relevant or not.
I just need to highlight that when each member is asking questions, they can ask the question they prefer to ask or make the comments they prefer to make.
As to the debate about whether there is relevance or not, he is referring to the comments at the beginning of your questioning, actually, which were with respect to security, so there's a fine line right there.
Conservative
Carol Anstey Conservative Long Range Mountains, NL
He is talking about a petition coming out of his riding, and we're talking about Chinese EVs. I don't see the relevance, Chair.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Angelo Iacono
—no direct relevance, but there is common ground with respect to security, with respect to issues, and I guess he's going to explain that. I'm not the one who can explain that.
Conservative
Carol Anstey Conservative Long Range Mountains, NL
He can present his petition. There are levers available to him to present his petition on the floor of the House of Commons. I don't know why he's burning up committee time talking about a petition out of his riding.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Angelo Iacono
Maybe you can ask him the question and we can get an answer to that.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Angelo Iacono
You can ask the question through the chair. I'll allow it if you want, on free time.
Would you like to respond to that? You had a point of order as well.
Liberal
