Evidence of meeting #44 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was million.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel
If we don't calm down, I'm going to adjourn the meeting.
You have the floor, Madame Lavallée.
Madame Lavallée, you said that the rules of the House are not being abided by. Precisely what rules of the House are not being abided by in this committee?
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
I could give you the number of the Standing Order, but what I want to say is that the way that things are proceeding here is not in keeping with the Standing Orders. A tradition has developed: a Conservative Party member starts to speak around 11:00 a.m. or, in most cases, around 5:30 p.m., and monopolizes the rest of the time until the meeting adjourns.
What are you doing with your gavel, Mr. Chairman?
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
You are taking your gavel and you are adjourning the meeting. This is not consistent with the Standing Orders. According to the Standing Orders, the debate must continue as long as people wish to speak. If Mr. Tilson wants to speak until tomorrow morning, he may do so, but the meeting may not be adjourned until the majority of members vote to adjourn.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
I would ask that you consult your clerk regarding the Standing Orders before answering my question.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel
First of all, you've indicated that the chair is not abiding by the Standing Orders. I want you to provide me with the Standing Order the chair is not abiding by. That's number one.
Number two, I didn't recognize Mr. Tilson. I recognized Ms. Davidson, and it's Ms. Davidson's opportunity to ask questions of the commissioner.
Number three, the first item on our order of business is the estimates of the commissioner. It's only after that item is completed that we deal with item number two. We have not completed item number one, so we cannot go to item number two
I'll ask the clerk. Mr. Clerk, are you aware of any rules that require us to skip over any item on our agenda and deal with a motion that has been put forward?
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
That is not what I asked you to ask the clerk, Mr. Chairman. The question was this: Do you decide on your own to adjourn the meeting when the time comes even if other individuals wish to continue to speak? In other words, in order to adjourn, must we not vote?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel
The meeting was called for 9 to 11. There is another meeting scheduled at 11 o'clock in this room, in any event, so we would have to vacate the room at 11 a.m., no matter what, since another committee requires this room.
Mr. Clerk, would you answer Madame Lavallée's question?
The Clerk
You are correct, Mr. Chair. The meeting has been called for 9 to 11. That indicates it's a two-hour meeting, in compliance with the block system established by agreement among the whips.
The only way, perhaps, the committee could continue would be if it agreed to do so and to find another room.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel
It would have to be unanimous.
Are there any other questions of the clerk before we go to Madam Davidson?
Mr. Vincent.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
Do you mean a majority vote or a unanimous vote? There is a difference between the two: it is unanimous when everyone agrees to the same thing and it is a majority vote when the majority agree to it.
The Clerk
It would have to be unanimous, because the committee meeting was called for 9 to 11.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
I would like you to identify the Standing Order that states that a unanimous vote is required to adjourn a meeting.
The Clerk
It doesn't exist specifically in the Standing Orders or in Marleau and Montpetit.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
No, it is not the tradition in committees. Tradition can be changed to suit the circumstances.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel
Mr. Vincent, pardon me.
If there 's nothing in the Standing Orders, then it is governed by the traditions of the committee.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
Mr. Chairman, we have some questions, and it is the clerk who represents the House when it comes to the Standing Orders. So he is the one who has to answer.
What usually happens? I sit on the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, and, there, a vote to adjourn does not have to be unanimous. It is a majority vote. If the majority decides to continue to sit, the committee continues to sit until we decide to vote again to adjourn, and the majority votes for or against. It is not the tradition in committees. I sit on other committees, Mr. Chairman, and that is not how they operate.