Evidence of meeting #45 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was questions.
A recording is available from Parliament.
1:10 p.m.
An hon. member
Bring in the witnesses.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Okay. I'll get there.
I don't think it's humourous to laugh at the orders.
We did pass a resolution that we would hear from the last two speakers in that round and Mr. Poilievre. After Mr. Poilievre had completed his remarks, and then we were ready to excuse Mr. Mayrand, he, as I heard—
1:10 p.m.
An hon. member
It's not true.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
1:10 p.m.
An hon. member
You use that all the time.
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
I have checked with the clerks, and the record of our meeting will show that this motion has been moved by Mr. Reid, okay? The document I have here says “Motion from Scott Reid”, so our records show and the transcript will show that it was moved by Mr. Reid.
At that point, we already have a motion—we know it's debatable and it's votable, etc.—but we have to complete what the committee had decided on, and that was we've finished—
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Just a moment, I'm still trying to explain what happened here.
We finished with the two remaining speakers, and then I had indicated we would give Mr. Mayrand an opportunity to say any final comments before he was excused, so I would like to do that as soon as possible.
Mr. Poilievre, did you call on a point of order, sir?
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
Under chapter 12, “The Process of Debate”, page 469, under “NO NOTICE”, under “motions to proceed to another order of business”, my motion is a superseding motion and it can move the committee towards a motion that has already been introduced and has been given proper and appropriate notice.
I've now put this motion forward. It's a motion to proceed to another order of business. If you want to reference the rule, it's on page 469. And I did say that entirely while I had the floor, so if we can proceed to the consideration of my motion, that would be entirely in order.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
I don't have the transcript, but I remember hearing the word “superseded” after “I want to move the motion”. I think the record will show that.
The member is quite right. There is a procedure in which you can make a motion to move to another order of business. It is not debatable, and the vote should be taken right away.
Here is what I understand the effect would be. I want members to understand this before we have the vote. We will put the question that we go to Mr. Reid's motion now. It is debatable, so we could have lots of debate. After that debate collapses, we would have a vote on that motion.
Just as we did with the previous issue of Mr. Martin's motion, there would be this debate. Then once we finished that, if for instance the members voted not to adopt the motion just made by Mr. Poilievre, then we would be able to excuse Mr. Mayrand. We would not be able to excuse the witness on the basis that we're going to do some other business before we can do this last two-second thing.
As long as the members understand, there is no debate on this. There's debate on Mr. Reid's motion, but not on the motion to move to another order of business. It's not debatable, and I must put the vote now.
Now that I've explained to members the consequences of voting one way or another--and I hope members will think very carefully about how they vote here--I'm going to call the question on Mr. Poilievre's motion that we move to another order of business, being the motion by Mr. Reid.
1:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
I will ask the clerk to please call the roll.
(Motion negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)
Mr. Mayrand, do you have any final remarks for this perfectly functional committee?
1:15 p.m.
An hon. member
They don't want to hear them.
1:15 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
I simply wish to thank the members of the committee--
1:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Before you do, Mr. Mayrand, there is something I want to share with you and anybody else who might be interested.
I was hoping it wouldn't happen, but there seemed to be a substantial preoccupation with the credibility and integrity of you--
1:15 p.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
Gary Goodyear Conservative Cambridge, ON
On a point of order, if you're going to be credible, then be polite. No one is asking for your opinion at this point about what you think happened in this committee.