Information & Ethics Committee on June 5th, 2013

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

I can read it. I have the text, unlike Mr. Boulerice. The proposed title is the Act respecting the transparency of public servants earning more than $440,000, except those in the Prime Minister's Office.

In my opinion, that amendment is also out of order.

[Scott Andrews, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

Mr. Andrews has a point of order.

[Scott Andrews, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Maybe we'll try one more time. The act...

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

Just a moment, Mr. Andrews. You may not introduce an amendment by raising a point of order. Please clarify your intention.

[Scott Andrews, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

I'd like to propose an amendment then, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

All right, you may introduce an amendment.

[Scott Andrews, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

That the short title read “an act to amend the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act (disclosure of little information, or as long as you make more than $450,000 a year) act”.

Would you like a copy of that?

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

I would like to have it in writing, please.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I think “opaqueness” sounded more legalistic than that, though.

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

In fact, you have not amended the right title. We were on the short title, but you gave me a copy of an amendment to the long title.

So we were dealing with the short title. For your information, it appears on the first page of the bill, before clause 2. The short title is clause 1.

The amendment is of course out of order.

Now let us vote on it.

(Clause 1 carried on division)

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

Now let us go to the title.

There is no amendment.

Mr. Angus, you have the floor.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

My colleague had an amendment for the long title. Could you read the long title and we can compare it so we see whether it's in order or not?

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

I can read the title to you, since I still have a copy of it. However, first you have to move it.

[Scott Andrews, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

Yes, I'd like to move the amendment that I tried to on the short title.

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

All right. I will read the title in English:

“an act to amend the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act (disclosure of little information, or as long as you make more than $450,000)”.

I would like a moment to think about it.

Does Mr. Andrews want to explain the reasons for his amendment before I make my decision?

[Scott Andrews, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

Well, I think my amendment speaks for itself as we've seen what has happened today to this particular bill. So I think it is fitting when we report it back to the House that it be read out as proposed.

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

The Chair rules that the amendment is out of order because it is frivolous. That is my decision.

Now we will proceed with the vote.

Shall the title carry?

[Some hon. members]

On division.

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

Shall the bill, as amended, carry?

[Some hon. members]

On division.

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

Shall the Chair report the bill, as amended, to the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, NDP, Pierre-Luc Dusseault]

Shall the committee order a reprint of the bill, as amended, for the use of the House at the report stage?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.