Evidence of meeting #25 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
1:05 p.m.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
I was just saying that this is not the issue. The amendment is to remove a paragraph asking Mr. Shugart or another member of the Privy Council to appear. It is removed, period.
We have not yet discussed the rest of the motion.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
In that case, Mr. Chair, I humbly maintain that my speech is entirely relevant, because the effect of this amendment is to still allow...
Our vote is going to have consequences, and I was just explaining why I feel the amendment is inadequate.
I believe my points are quite relevant, and if I may, I would like to continue.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Mr. Fergus, there has been some insistence by your colleagues to move things along today. We will turn back to you, but we're looking forward to voting on this expeditiously.
Mr. Fergus.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I hope you will give me the opportunity to make sure that this can be resolved quickly and in the most effective way possible so that the committee can be efficient in its efforts.
I feel the solution is simple. We can request a report from the Privy Council Office, and that is important. We don't need anyone to appear to talk about that report, as the amendment suggests. That is a good thing.
A witch hunt with respect to the rest is not necessary. We can deal with this, Mr. Chair, by giving you the authority to write a letter to Mr. Chin, in which you find the right words to get to the bottom of the matter and ask him to provide us with all communications he has had with WE Charity about the student grant program. By doing that, we can be very efficient and get to the things that are germane to our writing up our work. In addition, that should satisfy the interests of all committee members.
I move this assuming that my colleagues around the table are acting in good faith. I sincerely believe that they are.
If I may, I would like to introduce a subamendment.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
I think you could, Mr. Fergus, if you'd like to move your subamendment now.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
I am attempting to open the email in my personal inbox, as I was unable to receive it in my House of Commons email account.
I move to amend the motion where it says:
“adoption of this motion”....
1:10 p.m.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Mr. Chair, this is out of order. We are considering Mr. Barrett's amendment, and Mr. Fergus already told us that he supports it.
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
1:10 p.m.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It is out of order. With all due respect, I do not believe we can move a new amendment to the motion. We are currently discussing Mr. Barrett's proposed amendment to remove the second paragraph. Mr. Fergus has already indicated that he is in favour of it. So I do not understand why he is proposing an amendment on something else. We are not there yet.
Can we move on? It is now 1:10 p.m. I know that people have made a habit of filibustering on this committee since last fall, but I confess I do not have a lot of patience for that kind of childish behaviour. Afterwards, if Mr. Fergus wishes to make another amendment, he can do so. One thing is clear, however: he has told us that he supports the amendment before us. So I want us to vote on it.
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Thank you, Monsieur Fortin. I'm going to hear the subamendment, and then I'm going to rule as to whether or not it's in order.
Go ahead, Mr. Fergus.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Mr. Chair, I feel that Mr. Fortin's comments were not at all parliamentary. I have a great deal of respect for him—
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Thank you, Mr. Fergus. We're just trying to get the subamendment.
Could you give us the text of the subamendment so that can be distributed to the members?
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
I certainly will, Mr. Chair.
However, we must do things properly. When a member uses disrespectful language, it does not help the situation. We are all members of Parliament and are all presumed to be honourable. We must always make sure that we treat our colleagues accordingly. I would like to say to Mr. Fortin—
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Thank you, Mr. Fergus.
I'll just jump in here. I do agree with you that it is necessary for us to respect one another, including our time. I would like to circulate the text of your subamendment to the members—
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
Han Dong Liberal Don Valley North, ON
On a point of order, Chair, Mr. Fergus was being told he was acting like a child by another colleague from the opposition party and I think he has the right to respond to that, and I think you interrupted him twice.
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Mr. Dong, that's not a point of order, but I appreciate the reminder to all members to keep the conversation courteous. Thank you.
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Mr. Fergus, out of courtesy to the members, would you read into the record the text of the subamendment that you're proposing so that it could be distributed to the members and so we can be courteous of members' time?
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
I certainly will, Mr. Chair.
I would appreciate it if Mr. Fortin would kindly withdraw his comments so that we can continue to treat each other with respect. It is important. I know we can be passionate, but we should not use any bad language toward other members.
1:15 p.m.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
I just wanted to note that I accused Mr. Fergus of absolutely nothing. Rather, I was critical of his behaviour. He has been talking about nothing for a long time in an effort to run out the clock. To me, that is childishness. I confessed my lack of patience for this kind of behaviour.
I have too much respect for Mr. Fergus to believe that he knows so little about the rules. I believe he knows very well what he is doing and I must admit that it exasperates me, Mr. Chair. I hardly see how I can apologize for it.
1:15 p.m.
Conservative